Reporter Itai Blumenthal reports that Israel is requesting 34 aerial refueling tankers, while the United States had committed before the current escalation to leave only 20 in the region. The gap reflects power struggles between the two allies over force posture amid ongoing US-Iran hostilities.
Reporter Itai Blumenthal reported Tuesday that the IDF is pressing for 34 aerial refueling tankers to sustain operations, while the United States — which had committed before the current escalation to station only 20 in the region — is resisting a larger deployment. The discrepancy, Blumenthal said, reflects ongoing power struggles between Israel and the US over military posture amid the escalating confrontation with Iran.
This follows a period in which the US had reportedly evacuated some tankers to Europe after signing a memorandum of understanding with Iran in recent weeks, before a series of nightly exchanges of fire between US and Iranian forces began over the past week. As The Zioneer reported on July 8, the US had begun returning some tankers to the Middle East and Israel after the first night of exchanges. The new report suggests the returning number still falls short of Israeli demands.
The figures have not been independently confirmed, and no official Israeli or US comment has been released. The reported numbers refer to tanker aircraft, not to broader force deployments.
- StrongBlumenthal: US returning refueling tankers to Middle East, Israel after last night's US-Iran fire exchange
- DevelopingUS keeps 33 refueling tankers at Ben Gurion; aviation officials warn of 50,000 summer ticket cancellations
- DevelopingUS transfers six refueling tankers to UAE base amid Israel-Iran tensions
- DevelopingUS expected to relocate 20% of refueling aircraft from Ben Gurion; reports do not confirm 32-aircraft withdrawal
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