U.S. Sends Stealth Fighters to Middle East as Iran-Israel Tensions Escalate
The U.S. has deployed F-22 and F-35 stealth jets to the CENTCOM region, signaling readiness for extended air operations amid growing tensions following Israeli strikes on Iran.
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In a significant escalation of U.S. military presence in the Middle East, the U.S. Air Force has deployed F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter jets to the region, as reported by The Aviationist today (Tuesday).
The move, described by U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth as an “enhancement of the defensive posture in the region,” follows a massive deployment of approximately 30 KC-135 and KC-46 aerial refueling tankers to Europe on June 15–16, 2025, signaling preparation for sustained air operations.
According to The Aviationist, 12 F-22s and F-35s are en route to the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) area, likely headed to bases such as Al-Udeid in Qatar. The F-22s are believed to originate from Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, home to the 1st and 192nd Fighter Wings, while the F-35s may be from the 48th Fighter Wing at RAF Lakenheath, UK, or the Vermont Air National Guard.
The aircraft were observed transiting through Europe, with spotters and airband listeners reporting F-35s from RAF Lakenheath and F-16s from Aviano Air Base, Italy, moving eastward, supported by tankers stationed at bases like Ramstein (Germany), Morón and NAS Rota (Spain), and Souda Bay (Greece). Photographs shared by reader Glenn Lockett confirmed three flights of four F-35s each, escorted by KC-135 tankers, highlighting the scale of the operation.
The deployment follows Hegseth’s order for additional CENTCOM assets, prompted by Israel’s reported campaign against Iran, which has included strikes on nuclear sites like Fordo and the elimination of senior Revolutionary Guards leadership.
This is not the first U.S. fighter deployment to the region in recent months. In August 2024, F-22s from the 90th Fighter Squadron at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, were sent to deter Iranian threats, conducting counter-drone and counter-cruise missile patrols across five operational locations using Agile Combat Employment (ACE) tactics.
These tactics emphasize dispersed operations from austere bases to enhance strategic unpredictability. Similarly, F-35s were deployed in April 2025 to counter Houthi activities in Yemen, with U.S. Navy F-35Cs from the USS Abraham Lincoln engaging Houthi drones. The current deployment builds on these efforts, reinforcing U.S. support for Israel amid fears of Iranian reprisals.
The strategic context is further complicated by Israel’s use of modified F-35I Adir jets, which, according to Middle East Eye, were upgraded with U.S. assistance to carry additional fuel via external drop tanks, enabling long-range strikes on Iran without mid-air refueling. This modification allowed Israel to target Iranian missile production sites and air defenses while maintaining stealth capabilities, a development likely prompting the U.S. to bolster its regional presence.
Hegseth, in a Fox News interview, framed the deployment as part of a “Peace Through Strength and America First” strategy, emphasizing defensive posturing to pursue a peace deal.
President Trump, cutting short a G7 meeting in Canada, denied ceasefire motives, stating the situation is “much bigger than that,” hinting at broader strategic goals. The USS Nimitz, carrying additional F-35Cs and F/A-18s, is also en route to join the USS Abraham Lincoln, further strengthening U.S. air and naval power in the region.
With Iranian retaliation looming and regional dynamics shifting, the Middle East remains a powder keg, with these advanced fighters poised to play a pivotal role in maintaining stability—or responding if it unravels.
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