U.S. stealth fighters en route to region, flight tracking shows; move underscores close U.S.–Israel security ties amid Iran tensions
U.S. military F-22 stealth fighters have been moved toward Israel and the eastern Mediterranean this week, according to flight-tracking data and open-source aircraft spotters, in a rapid redeployment that U.S. and Israeli officials say reflects close operational coordination as tensions with Iran rise.
The jets, tracked leaving Royal Air Force Lakenheath in the U.K. and linking with U.S. aerial refueling tankers en route, were observed flying toward bases serving operations in the Middle East, flight logs show.
Open-source analysts and military watchers reported a package of F-22s and supporting tankers as part of a wider U.S. movement of airpower into the region.
The deployment comes as Washington presses Tehran in diplomacy that officials have warned could slip into military confrontation if talks fail.
Recent reporting says U.S. leaders are weighing options ranging from increased pressure to limited strikes should negotiations collapse — context officials say underpins the surge in aircraft and support assets.
Neither the Pentagon nor the Israeli government has issued a formal public statement confirming exact numbers or basing details; U.S. forces routinely move assets for deterrence and readiness, officials note.
Independent flight-tracking and spotter reports form the basis of initial accounts while outlets continue to seek official confirmation.
What’s next? Watch for official Pentagon or Israeli statements clarifying whether aircraft have landed in Israeli air bases, exact force levels, and any diplomatic notes between Washington and Jerusalem about rules of engagement and mission scope.
