Arab Canada News
News
Published: November 3, 2024
The U.S. Central Command (Centcom) announced the arrival of B-52 Stratofortress bombers to the Middle East amid intelligence estimates that Iran is preparing for an imminent attack on Israel, following Iranian threats of a "devastating response" to the country's enemies, while the United States warned Tehran that it "won't be able to rein in Tel Aviv" in the event of a new attack against it.
Centcom stated in a post on the "X" platform: "The strategic bombers of the B-52 Stratofortress from the 5th Bomb Wing at Minot Air Force Base have arrived in the area of responsibility of the U.S. Central Command."
Earlier on Friday, the U.S. Department of Defense (the Pentagon) announced its plans regarding the deployment of B-52 bombers, fighter jets, and refueling aircraft, in addition to naval destroyers in the Middle East, as part of resetting U.S. military assets in the region.
U.S. Warnings to Iran
Pentagon spokesperson Pat Ryder stated in a statement that these new operations are in addition to the recent decision to deploy the THAAD missile defense system in Israel, pointing out that U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin "continues to emphasize that if Iran or its partners or proxies use this moment to target U.S. personnel or interests in the region, the United States will take all necessary measures to defend its people."
The statement clarified that these forces will start arriving in the region over the coming months, with the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier preparing to leave.
The departure of the Abraham Lincoln carrier from the area will create a gap in terms of aircraft carriers until another carrier is sent to the Middle East, according to "Reuters".
The United States had two aircraft carriers in the Middle East over the past year, amid escalating tensions since the onset of the Israeli war on Gaza in October 2023.
The recent movements of U.S. forces come in the aftermath of strikes exchanged between Israel and Iran. Israel is waging war on the Gaza Strip and another in southern Lebanon, as well as carrying out strikes in Yemen.
Intelligence Estimates
Axios had previously reported that Israeli intelligence indicated Iran is preparing to attack Israel from Iraqi territory in the coming days, possibly before the U.S. presidential elections on November 5.
The "Financial Times" reported citing sources described as being close to the regime, that Iran may be considering delivering a third strike against Israel before the U.S. presidential elections on Tuesday.
Tehran Threatens with a "Devastating Response"
In Tehran, Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei escalated his rhetoric, warning of a "devastating response" to the country's enemies, including the United States, in the wake of the Israeli missile attack on the country a week ago, according to "Bloomberg".
Khamenei said in a speech delivered in Tehran on Saturday: "The enemies, whether the Zionist regime or the United States, will undoubtedly receive a devastating response to their actions against Iran and the resistance front," as reported by state television.
Khamenei added that hostile actions against Iran "will not be forgotten," without disclosing further details.
For his part, Brigadier General Mohammad Ali Naqdi, spokesperson for the Revolutionary Guard, said on Saturday that Iran's response will be "decisive and powerful and beyond what the enemy can imagine," as he put it.
The commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, General Hossein Salami,
Bloomberg noted that Khamenei's statements represent a possible signal regarding Israel's attack on October 26 on military targets across Iran, which resulted in the deaths of 5 individuals, including a civilian.
It was reported that more than 100 Israeli fighter jets participated in the attack, although there was no confirmation of significant damage to oil or nuclear facilities.
Khamenei's statements on Saturday mark a shift from his more reserved tone shortly after the Israeli strike, which he described as a "miscalculation." At that time, he warned of the danger of downplaying the significance of the attack, without any explicit threat of retaliation.
Regarding the response, he said it would be "unimaginable," a statement that led to a rise in global oil prices.
Saturday, 05 July 2025
--°C
--°C
Comments