An attack on Iran by the United States has been called "inevitable" as a huge military force gathers in the Middle East. A squadron of 11 F-22 Raptors has arrived in the region, and is ready to lead a battering of Iran's air defences, reports suggest. The jets can minimise their radar echo using a combination of airframe shaping, advanced radar-absorbent materials and specialised surface treatments, meaning they are nearly impossible to lock onto.
Satellite photos shot on Tuesday and Wednesday by Planet Labs PBC and analysed by the Associated Press appeared to show that American vessels typically docked in Bahrain, the home of the US Navy’s 5th Fleet, were all out at sea. US President Donald Trump wants to reach a deal to constrain Iran’s nuclear programme, with another round of indirect talks in Geneva to try to reach a deal taking place today.
Iran also hopes to avoid a conflict, but insists that it has the right to enrich uranium and does not want to discuss other issues, like its long-range missile programme or support for armed groups like Hamas and Hezbollah.
The Raptors provide a Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) platform, The Sun reports.
It is understood that this is the first time F-22s have ever been based on Israeli soil for a combat mission.
The planes flew from RAF Lakenhealth, supported by refuelling tankers.
12 took off, but one had to turn back due to a suspected fuel leak.
Israeli officials are reported to have said they believed that a US strike is “inevitable”.
“There would be no victory for anybody — it would be a devastating war,” Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi told India Today in an interview filmed on Wednesday just before he flew to Geneva.
“Since the Americans’ bases are scattered through different places in the region, then unfortunately perhaps the whole region would be engaged and be involved, so it is a very terrible scenario.”
US secretary of state Marco Rubio told reporters on Wednesday that Iran is “always trying to rebuild elements” of its nuclear programme.
If America attacks, Iran has said US military bases in the region would be considered legitimate targets, presenting a risk of a larger-scale conflict.
