In a major development, the US is moving more stealthy fighter jets closer to Iran on Monday. This comes as the United States has issued a warning to American-flagged commercial vessels to steer clear of Iranian territorial waters while transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
According to Open Intelligence sources, over a dozen F–35A Lightning II fifth-generation planes have landed at RAF Lakenheath, a US base in the UK. The fighter jets crossed the Atlantic on Monday and is said to be enroute to the Middle East.
The fighters are from the Vermont Air National Guard’s 158th Fighter Wing and use the callsigns “Tabor 41” through “Tabor 46.” They were accompanied by three KC–135 Stratotankers refuelling aircraft that departed from Bangor Air National Guard Base, Maine. Flight data showed that these tankers have already landed at RAF Mildenhall, another US base in the UK.
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Reports are that six other F–35s are moving to the region from Spain. These jets first arrived in Europe last month from Puerto Rico.
There are also reports that over 80 military cargo flights by the US Air Force linked to the transfer of air-defense equipment, including both C-17A Globemaster IIIs and C-5M Super Galaxies, have arrived at bases in the Middle East from hubs in the Indo-Pacific and the United States since mid to late January. The sources claim these are “defensive preparations” for a potential future military action against Iran.
The movement will likely be mostly complete by Friday, the open intelligence sources claim. “The Muwaffaq Al Salti air base in Jordan and Prince Sultan airbase in Saudi Arabia have received enough flights for at least 1 battery each. Ali Al Salem in Kuwait will need four more, while Isa in Bahrain and Al Udeid in Qatar would need 8 more each. In total, there are 16 flights in progress,” the intelligence sources added.
Warning to ships
As tension persists in the Middle East, the United States has issued a warning to American-flagged commercial vessels to steer clear of Iranian territorial waters while transiting the Strait of Hormuz. This came after Iranian drones harassed a US-flagged vessel transiting the Strait of Hormuz, just after the US shot down a Shahed drone.
A maritime advisory issued by the US Transport Department Maritime Administration read: "It is recommended that U.S.-flagged commercial vessels transiting these waters remain as far as possible from Iran’s territorial sea without compromising navigational safety."
It also urged the vessels to transit close to Oman’s waters when transiting eastbound in the Strait of Hormuz.
"If Iranian forces seek to board a US-flagged commercial vessel navigating these waters, the vessel’s Master should, if the safety of the ship and crew would not be compromised, decline permission to board, noting that the vessel is proceeding in accordance with international law, as reflected in the Law of the Sea Convention," the statement said.
"If Iranian forces board a US-flagged commercial vessel, the crew should not forcibly resist the boarding party. Refraining from forcible resistance does not imply consent or agreement to that boarding."