US military replaces B-2 bombers in Middle East amid tensions
PHOTO CAPTION: Illustrative photo — A B-2 Spirit stealth bomber is seen at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Jan. 15, 2024. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Bryson Britt via U.S. Defense Visual Information Distribution Service)
By Idrees Ali and Phil Stewart
WASHINGTON - The U.S. military is replacing its B-2 bombers with another type of bomber at a base in the Indo-Pacific that was seen as being in an ideal location to operate in the Middle East, U.S. officials told Reuters on Monday.
The Pentagon deployed as many as six B-2 bombers in March to a U.S.-British military base on the Indian Ocean island of Diego Garcia, amid a U.S. bombing campaign in Yemen and mounting tensions with Iran.
Experts say that this had put the B-2s, which have stealth technology and are equipped to carry the heaviest U.S. bombs and nuclear weapons, in a position to operate in the Middle East.
The officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the B-2 bombers were being replaced by B-52 bombers.
The Pentagon said it did not comment on force posture adjustments as a matter of policy.
Fresh talks between Iranian and U.S. negotiators to resolve disputes over Tehran's nuclear program ended in Oman on Sunday, with further negotiations planned.
The fourth round of talks took place ahead of President Donald Trump's planned visit to the Middle East. Trump, who has threatened military action against Iran if diplomacy fails, has restored a "maximum pressure" campaign on Tehran since returning to the White House in January.
Tehran is willing to negotiate some curbs on its nuclear work in return for the lifting of sanctions, according to Iranian officials, but ending its enrichment program or surrendering its enriched uranium stockpile are among what the officials have called "Iran's red lines that could not be compromised" in the talks.
Additionally, Trump announced last week that a deal had been reached to stop bombing Yemen's Houthi group. The B-2 bombers had been used to carry out strikes against the Iran-backed group.
(Reporting by Idrees Ali and Phil Stewart in Washington; Editing by Matthew Lewis)
