U.S. Deploys Additional Refueling Aircraft to Israel for Iran Strikes

The United States deployed 10 additional aerial refueling aircraft to Israel's Ben Gurion Airport, bringing the total number of U.S. refueling planes at the facility to 40. This military buildup follows the start of a U.S.-Israeli war against Iran on February 28 and coincides with warnings from President Donald Trump that the U.S. would hit Iran "very hard."

The increase in military aircraft contradicts a July 15 agreement between the U.S. and the Israel Ministry of Transportation to reduce the aircraft count at the airport to 20 by July 21. This deployment occurs as the Israeli defense establishment prepares for a potential major U.S. strike on Iran.

The Israel Airports Authority reports that the heavy military presence has created a significant operational burden. These disruptions have caused civil flight delays of approximately two hours during the peak travel season of July and August.