Tankers Deploy to Europe as US Weighs Options in Israel-Iran War

Dozens of aerial refueling tankers have flown from American military bases to Europe as the U.S. considers its options for potential involvement in the Israel-Iran conflict, U.S. officials said. The Navy has also dispatched the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier to the Middle East from the Pacific.

The armada of over two dozen tankers—a mix of KC-46 Pegasus and KC-135 Stratotanker jets—deployed to Morón Air Base, Spain; Ramstein Air Base, Germany; and other European bases, according to open-source flight tracking data. 

U.S. officials said the forward deployment provided President Donald Trump and the U.S. military with more flexibility in their decision-making. As of June 16, the tankers did not appear to be heading farther east to U.S.-run bases in the Middle East. The U.S. Air Force’s Europe-based aerial refueling jets occasionally support missions in U.S. Central Command, which oversees American forces in the Middle East.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth acknowledged June 16 he has ordered additional U.S. forces to the Middle East, but did not provide further details.

“Over the weekend, I directed the deployment of additional capabilities to the United States Central Command Area of Responsibility,” he wrote on X. “Protecting U.S. forces is our top priority and these deployments are intended to enhance our defensive posture in the region.”

Israel began striking military and nuclear targets June 12 using over 200 warplanes, according to the Israel Defense Forces, and has continued every day since. The Trump administration has said that the U.S. is not involved in Israel’s ongoing air campaign against Iran.

But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told ABC News June 16 the U.S. has helped defend Israel against Iran’s retaliatory missile and drone strikes.

“We’ve gotten tremendous help from President Trump,” Netanyahu said. “American pilots are shooting down drones that are aimed at our cities along with our pilots. We have two THAAD batteries that are based in Israel that are helping bring down these murderous missiles. We have Aegis ships that are helping us. And it’s deeply appreciated. As far as what else America will do, that’s up to President Trump.”

The Biden administration offered similar assistance during shorter confrontations between the rival countries last year. U.S. and allied fighter jets and air defense systems last April helped down roughly 80 drones and six missiles—some of the 300 projectiles sent towards Israel in that skirmish—and helped Israel fend off an attack by 200 Iranian missiles in October.

The United Kingdom said June 15 it sent additional fighter jets to the region. The Royal Air Force has also defended Israel from Iranian attacks in the past.