Panama City: Iran’s decision to recently deploy U.S. B-2 Stealth Bombers to a joint base in the Indian Ocean is a warning as diplomatic efforts to address tensions over Tehran’s nuclear program, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said.
On the Indian Ocean island in March, six B-2 bombers were moved to military bases on the Indian Ocean island in March, U.S. officials told Reuters.
The Air Force has only 20 B-2 bombers in stock, so they are usually rarely used.
Experts say the B-2, which has stealth technology and can carry the heaviest U.S. bombs and nuclear weapons, is an ideal location for operation in the Middle East.
When asked if the B-2 deployment was a message to Iran, Heggs replied: “We will let them decide.”
“It’s a huge asset … it sends a message to everyone,” he told reporters during a visit to Panama.
“President Trump is very clear … Iran shouldn’t have nuclear bombs,” he said. “We really hope – the president is focused on doing this peacefully.”
On Monday, Trump was surprised to announce that the United States and Iran will begin direct negotiations on Tehran’s nuclear program on Saturday. He warned that if negotiations fail, Iran would be in “huge danger”.
Iran has boycotted Trump’s request in recent weeks, saying he will hold indirect talks in Oman, highlighting the gap between the two sides.
On Wednesday, Trump reiterated that Iran would reiterate the threat of using military power if it refuses to abandon its nuclear ambitions.
“I don’t want too much…but they can’t have nuclear weapons,” Trump told reporters.
He refused to say when any military operations will begin.
Although the B-2 bombers have been used to strike Houthi targets in Yemen before, many experts believe that the target of deploying stealth aircraft is excessive.
However, the B-2 can carry a 30,000-pound GBU-57 large ordnance penetrator—a weapon designed to destroy deep buried targets. Experts believe this can be used to target Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.
Western powers accuse Iran of secretly trying to develop nuclear weapons by enriching uranium to the level required for civilian energy purposes.
Tehran insists that its nuclear program is purely for generating electricity and other peaceful purposes.
