Washington: The United States is preparing to deploy dozens of additional aerial refuelling aircraft to Israel as President Donald Trump reviews military options for a possible expansion of operations against Iran, according to an Axios report citing US and Israeli officials. No final decision on escalating military action has been announced by the US administration.
The reported move comes amid heightened tensions in the region, with Washington considering additional military measures beyond current operations around the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump reviews military options
According to the report, President Trump was presented with several military proposals during a recent Situation Room meeting and is expected to decide in the coming days whether to broaden the campaign.
The options reportedly under consideration include strikes on Iranian infrastructure such as power plants, additional attacks on nuclear facilities aimed at limiting access to enriched uranium stockpiles, and possible strikes on the underground Pickaxe Mountain site, which is believed to be under development.
However, officials cited in the report said no final approval has been granted.
Additional refuelling aircraft planned
The report states that the United States intends to strengthen its aerial refuelling capability by deploying several dozen additional tanker aircraft to Israel.
At present, the US reportedly operates around 30 refuelling aircraft from Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv and a similar number from Ramon Airport in southern Israel.
Israeli officials told Axios that the proposed deployment would restore the aerial refuelling fleet to levels seen during the early phase of the conflict.
The Trump administration has reportedly requested Israel’s approval to accommodate the additional aircraft, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expected to take a final decision on the request.
Military operations continue
According to the report, US military operations against Iranian targets have entered a fifth consecutive day.
On Thursday, US forces reportedly carried out strikes around the Strait of Hormuz and along Iran’s southern coastline.
The report said at least seven bridges near the strategic port city of Bandar Abbas were targeted. A US official quoted by Axios claimed the bridges were being used to transport ammunition, military supplies and reinforcements for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
These claims have not been independently verified.
Iran intensifies regional attacks
The report also states that Iran has increased attacks targeting US military installations in Jordan, Qatar, Bahrain, Iraq and Kuwait.
In addition, the IRGC reportedly claimed responsibility for an attack on a US base in Syria. However, according to the report, US forces had withdrawn from that location several months earlier.
Independent verification of these battlefield claims remains limited.
Operational and logistical concerns
The proposed deployment of additional refuelling aircraft is expected to enhance the US military’s capacity to sustain long-range air operations across the region.
However, the move has reportedly triggered discussions within Israel over its logistical impact.
According to Axios, Ben Gurion International Airport is already handling a significant number of US military aircraft, and the arrival of additional tanker planes could place further pressure on airport operations during the peak summer travel season.
The situation remains fluid, with the US yet to announce any decision regarding a broader military campaign against Iran.
