The United States has recently deployed F-16 fighter jets to the Middle East, according to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), as tensions rise over fears of an Israeli strike on Iran. This move, announced by CENTCOM on Friday, follows escalating violence by Israeli forces in Palestine and Lebanon, as well as recent missile exchanges between Iran and Israel.
CENTCOM confirmed that F-16s from the 480th Fighter Squadron, stationed at Germany’s Spangdahlem Air Base, have now arrived in the region. While CENTCOM refrained from detailing the specific mission of the F-16s, they underscored that the deployment is intended to strengthen US military presence and reinforce stability in the area.
This escalation in military preparedness comes in response to recent developments, including a large-scale missile assault by Iran on October 1, targeting Israel. Iran has asserted that the missile launch was a response to the assassination of a former Hamas political leader in Tehran in July and the death of former Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut last month. During the assault, nearly 200 missiles were launched toward multiple sites in Israel, striking a military installation. Though the attack caused no casualties, it has contributed to mounting regional instability.
Recent months have seen heightened hostilities between Israel and Iran. On April 1, Israel conducted an airstrike on the Iranian embassy in Syria, resulting in the death of senior Iranian military figures. Iran retaliated two weeks later with hundreds of drones and ballistic missiles launched toward Israel, intensifying the ongoing conflict.
