The US and Iran have intensified strikes since an interim ceasefire deal signed a month ago crumbled, raising the possibility of a return to all-out war. Israel has not joined the latest US attacks.
The Israeli official said the US had “decided to adjust its force posture in the region” and “to reinforce the existing fleet of aerial refuelling aircraft stationed in Israel with additional refuelling aircraft.”
Another senior Israeli official said dozens of US refuelling planes were expected to arrive in Israel.
The US Embassy in Jerusalem was not immediately available for comment. Since the conflict began with US and Israeli strikes against Iran on February 28, the U.S. has stationed dozens of refuelling aircraft in Israel.
Citing three US and Israeli officials, Axios reported on Friday that the Trump administration notified Israel that it was sending dozens more refuelling planes to the country ahead of a potential expansion of military operations against Iran.
The Israeli military official noted that in order to minimise disruptions to civilian air traffic, and based on operational and logistical considerations, the US “chose to station some of the refuelling aircraft at Israeli Air Force bases,” as well as at commercial airports.
In May, Sharon Kedmi, director general of the authority, said 70% of activity at Ben Gurion — Israel’s main air gateway — was limited because of the space and resources being taken up by U.S. military activity. Since then, the US agreed to move some aircraft to Israeli Air Force bases, according to a spokesperson for Transport Minister Miri Regev.
As of June 25 there were a total of 98 US military planes in Israel, the spokesperson said.
