Jens Asbjørn Bøgen
The B-2 bombers have been known to fly 40+ hour missions.
The B-2 bombers have been known to fly 40+ hour missions.
What is happening?
The conflict between Iran and Israel continues on it’s sixth day with analysts suggesting the US being more and more likely to enter the conflict on the side of Israel.
Trump’s death threats
In a post on Truth Social released during the night, Trump started out by saying that “we know excacly where the so-called ‘Supreme Leader’ is hiding,” adding that Khamenei is an easy target, but that he’s safe there.
Not killing him – now
The next part of the post included the very clear threat:
“We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now. But we don’t want missiles shot at civilians, or American soldiers.”
Patience wearing thin
Trump went on to say that the US patience with Iran is “wearing thin”. It’s unclear excacly what Trump is referring too, but it’s most likely the negotiations between the US and Iran regering the Iranian nuclear programme, that has been going on for months.
“Big surprise coming”
Tuesday morning, Iranian state-tv sent out a message:
“Tonight, a great surprise will occur, one that the World will remember for Centuries.”
Fighting begins
In a post on X, Ayatollah Khamenei, wrote that “the fighting begins”.
He added in another post that:
“We must give a strong response to the terrorist Zionist regime. We will show the Zionists no mercy.”
The Iranian nuclear programme
For decades, Iran has continued to develop it’s nuclear programme.
The leaders of Iran maintains that the nuclear programme is solely for domestic and energy purposes, but fear is that Iran is actually en route to develop nuclear weapons.
Bunker busters
BBC Verify reports that if the US targets Iran’s underground enrichment facilities it would likely use GBU-57A/B bunker busters, which are so large only B-2 stealth bombers can carry them.
American B-2 bombers disappear
In late March, B-2 bombers were seen on Diego Garcia, a remote U.S. / UK military base.
Recent satellite images show no sign of the bombers, but the B-2 bombers are able to be airborne for more than 40 hours at a time, and that the US could even launch a strike with B-2 bombers from continental US.
Base used to hit Afghanistan
During Operation Enduring Freedom, which was launched as a response to the 9/11-attack, the Diego Garcia base was used to launch B-2 bomber strikes on Afghanistan.
The B-2 bombers have a 11,000 km (6,900 miles) unfueling flying range, and a 19,000 km (12,000 miles) range with one mid-air refueling.