![[FILE] A US Air Force's B-52 bomber flies over Skopje, North Macedonia, 22 August 2022. EFE-EPA/GEORGI LICOVSKI](https://pre.efe.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/rss-efef79d98a77260a78ff9e0c53e8432627371caf15bw.jpg)
Washington, Nov 2 (EFE).— The United States Central Command announced the deployment of B-52 Stratofortress bombers to the Middle East on Saturday, amid escalating tensions between Israel and Iran following recent exchanges of military strikes.
The Central Command deployed the strategic bombers from the 5th Wing at Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota to its area of operations, which includes the Middle East and Near East.
“B-52 Stratofortress strategic bombers from Minot Air Force Base’s 5th Bomb Wing arrived in the US Central Command area of responsibility,” the Central Command said in a post on X.
The deployment is aimed at deterring potential Iranian responses to recent Israeli strikes on Iranian military targets.
Israel reported that it deployed around 100 fighter jets and drones, including advanced F-35 aircraft, for attacks on Iranian bases over a week ago.
Iran, however, asserted that none of the Israeli aircraft entered its airspace during these operations.
On Saturday, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei issued a stark warning, vowing “a crushing response” to Israel and the United States for their perceived aggressions against the Islamic Republic and its allies in the “Axis of Resistance.”
This warning followed Israeli military strikes last month, which targeted what it claimed were military installations in Iran in retaliation for “months of continuous attacks by the Iranian regime against the state of Israel.”
The Israeli missile strikes risked escalating into an all-out regional conflict amid rising violence in the Middle East, as Iran-backed militant groups, including Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, are already engaged in warfare with Israel.
The Israeli assault was a response to earlier Iranian attacks, during which the Islamic Republic launched a barrage of missiles and drones at Israel on October 1. Iran claimed this was retaliation for attacks in recent months that resulted in the deaths of Hezbollah, Hamas, and Iranian military leaders. EFE
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