Defense

U.S. Refueling Buildup Shifts to Israeli Bases as Iran Risk Rises

Published

Courtroom-sketch editorial illustration of President Donald Trump leaning toward Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against a Tehran street and Iranian leadership mural

The U.S. aerial-refueling buildup in Israel is shifting toward Israeli Air Force bases as Washington weighs wider operations against Iran. Dozens of American tankers are now stationed at Ovda and Ramon, while Israeli defense officials hold daily assessments over the risk that renewed U.S.-Iran fighting could draw Israel in within days. The IDF said the additional aircraft would use military bases rather than Ben Gurion Airport under a U.S.-Israeli plan designed to protect civilian aviation. Earlier reporting placed roughly 30 tankers at Ben Gurion and another 30 at Ramon before several dozen reinforcements were requested.

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