US tanker buildup in Israel fuels talk of renewed strikes on Iran
US tanker buildup in Israel fuels talk of renewed strikes on Iran
Photos circulating since November 1 show a long line of US Air Force KC-135 refueling tankers parked at Ramon Airport near Eilat in southern Israel. Israel's Channel 14 put the total number of US tankers across Israel above 80, while other counts are lower, at around 25 at Ramon alone.
No US or Israeli official has confirmed what the aircraft are for, and the photo itself has not been independently dated. What is confirmed is the context: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Saturday that President Donald Trump has not decided whether to order fresh strikes on Iran, and that Washington still prefers a diplomatic solution.
Tankers matter because they decide how far and how long an air campaign can run. A strike force heading for targets deep inside Iran needs refueling in the air, and a visible tanker fleet is the part of that capability you can see from space.
The timing is what has traders and capitals watching: the United States holds midterm elections on November 3, and several reports say any decision on renewed operations would come after the vote.
#Global