Official announcements from U.S. or Iranian government, or credible news outlets

U.S. Deploys 12 B-52 Bombers to Middle East as Warning to Iran

Nov 1, 2024, 11:13 PM

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has ordered the deployment of additional military assets to the Middle East, including 12 B-52 strategic bombers, tanker aircraft, fighter squadrons, and Navy destroyers specializing in ballistic missile defense. The move serves as a warning to Iran amid rising tensions and is intended to bolster the U.S. presence in the CENTCOM region as the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and its accompanying warships prepare to depart. Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder stated that the deployment is in response to potential Iranian threats against U.S. personnel or interests, with forces beginning to arrive in the coming days.