US deploys bunker buster-equipped bombers to Middle East as warning to Iran over seized oil tanker

Washington – US Air Force A-10 Warthogs aircraft have left for deployment in the Middle East. The planes are equipped with bunker-buster bombs that destroy mountain or underground bases, according to a leading US newspaper. The reason behind the new deployment is not clear. But Iran seized an oil tanker bound for Houston just two days ago. The US is claimed to have made the deployment to warn Iran.

Moreover, the tanker ship ‘Advantage Sweet’, with fuel stock from the Gulf of Oman, had left for the port of Houston, USA. There were 29 Indian crew on this ship. The said ship would travel through the Red Sea, the Mediterranean Sea. But while it was in the Gulf of Oman, the Iranian Navy landed a helicopter and took control of the vessel. The vessel has been in Iran’s possession for the past two days.

A few days ago, the US took action against an Iranian oil tanker. Iran is claimed to have attacked the American ship in retaliation. Iran has disclosed that this action was taken due to the intrusion of the US ship into its maritime zone. But the US had warned Iran to release its ship immediately, accusing Iran of taking action while it was in the international maritime zone.

Less than two days after the incident, news broke that the United States had sent A-10 Warthogs aircraft to the Middle East. These aircraft are used for long-range air operations. But for the first time, the aircraft has been equipped with GBU-39/B guided bunker busters bombs. This 113 kg bomb can accurately target the enemy’s hidden, underground locations. Air Force Chief of Syria Operations Lt. Gen. Alexus Grinkevich has said that this aircraft has been deployed, keeping this in mind.

A leading American newspaper published this news quoting Air Force officials. But the newspaper did not explicitly state in its report that the deployment of these planes in the Middle East was against Iran. But the deployment of the planes was announced after Iran seized a US oil tanker. Therefore, analysts say that the deployment of aircraft equipped with bunker busters can be concluded to be against Iran itself.

Meanwhile, over the years, Iran has developed secret bases that house fighter jets, deploy drones, and stockpile missiles. Iran had revealed information about these underground bases with the help of a state-run news channel. There are indications that the US has deployed Bunker Busters bombers to target the same Iranian underground bases.

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