THE US paraded almost its entire fleet of nuclear stealth bombers in a massive show of force as the Middle East teeters on a knife edge.
The B-2 Spirits – saved only for the “most important missions” – are “ready to execute a global strike anytime, anywhere,” the US Air Force warned.
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The B-2 Spirit is a multi-role, heavy bomber capable of delivering both conventional and nuclear warheads.
The 1000kmh beasts are designed to be virtually invisible to radar and are the world’s most expensive aircraft, estimated to cost £1.6billion each.
The two-pilot jet has an unrefueled range of 6,000miles and is specifically built for intercontinental missions.
As tensions spiralled earlier this week as Israel promised it would carry out a “significant response” to Iran’s aerial attack last weekend, the US was testing its stealth bombers.
Twelve of the entire fleet of 20 B-2 Spirit’s performed a fearsome so-called “elephant walk” and flight routine.
The rarely-seen aircraft were amassed as part of the “Spirit Vigilance” training exercise which focuses on increasing the readiness of the airmen to carry out a stealth bomber mission.
The impressive aeronautic challenge involves the jets taxiing together in close formation and a minimal interval takeoff.
The aircraft, assigned to the 509th Bomb Wing, were seen on the runway at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri on Monday.
The US Air Force said: “The routine training ensures that Airmen are always ready to execute global strike operations… anytime, anywhere.”
Speaking about “Spirit Vigilance”, Col. Geoffrey Steeves, commander of the 509th Operations Group, said: “This is a reminder that the B-2 Spirit bomber is the visible leg of nuclear triad.
“Simply put, the B-2 is the world’s most strategic aircraft.
“It is the only aircraft on the planet that combines stealth, payload, and long-range strike.
“We are charged with delivering the nation’s most powerful weapons for our most important missions.”
The spectacular show of American airpower comes as Israel launched its much-awaited revenge attack on Iran this morning after repeated calls from the US for restraint.
The precision strike hit a major Iranian air force base next door to one of its prized nuclear sites near the city of Isfahan – just days after Tehran unleashed an unprecedented missile and drone blitz.
Iranian state TV launched into damage control claiming three drones were “destroyed” by its air defence batteries and no ground damage was caused.
However, the fresh attack threatens to further push relations between the two arch-foes to the brink amid fears of an all-out war breaking out across the tinderbox of the Middle East.
What we know so far….
- Israel launched a suspected drone attack around the Iranian city of Isfahan early this morning
- Iran activated its air defence batteries and temporarily grounded flights as it braced for impact
- Iranian state media desperately downplayed the attack this morning, insisting it was a failed strike that caused no damage
- US officials said Israel successfully hit at least one target
- Reported possible targets around the city included a nuclear base and an Iranian air force HQ
- International nuclear watchdog the IAEA said that no damage was sustained to the nuclear site
- More blasts were heard in southern Syria and Iraqi capital Baghdad – with no confirmation of Israeli origin
- Israel has so far made no comment confirming the strike
- Netanyahu’s war cabinet had reportedly told the US they would hold off an attack on Iran until the end of April
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ISRAEL STRIKES BACK
The US Air Force’s show of force earlier this week came amid repeated, venom-filled warnings from Israel that it would gets its revenge on Iran.
IDF spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari warned after Iran’s missile attack: “We cannot stand still from this kind of aggression, Iran will not get [off] scot-free with this aggression.
“We will respond in our time, in our place, in the way that we will choose.”
Despite calls from world leaders to calm the escalating tensions, Israel’s PM Benjamin Netanyahu told Foreign Secretary David Cameron his country would do “whatever is necessary”.
Tehran fumed that it would respond with an assault “tenfold” the size of Saturday’s huge attack and use a weapon “never used before” if Israel dare target Iranian soil.
Then hours before last night’s attack, Israeli sources had indicated that Israel would not attack until after the end of the Jewish Passover religious holiday on April 30.
But analysts still described the Isfahan attack – five days after Iran’s flop drone and missile blitz was blocked by Israel’s Iron Dome defences and jets and its allies’ warplanes – as “an extremely dangerous moment.”
The Sun previously laid out the terrifying war simulation that explains how a war between Iran and Israel would unfold, and quickly go nuclear.
US officials confirmed that they were given notice of an “imminent” Israeli attack shortly before the early hours strike.
PM Rishi Sunak has responded stating it isn’t right for him to speculate until the “facts become clearer”.
However, he stated: “Significant escalation is not in anyone’s interest. What we want to see is calm heads prevail across the region.”
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