US deploys B-2 bombers to Guam as tensions rise over Iran nuclear sites
| 2025-06-22
US long-range B-2 stealth bombers.
The United States has positioned B-2 stealth bombers in Guam, raising speculation of a potential strike on Iranian nuclear facilities amid intensifying conflict in the Middle East.
The US military has moved B-2 stealth bombers to the Pacific island of Guam, according to two American officials, amid growing speculation that Washington may support Israel in its strikes against Iran. The deployment comes as President Donald Trump weighs a decision on possible US military involvement in the ongoing confrontation.
The officials, who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity, did not disclose the number of aircraft involved or whether the move was directly linked to tensions in the Middle East. No formal orders have been issued to move the bombers beyond Guam, they said.
The B-2 Spirit is capable of carrying the 13,600 kg GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator, a bomb designed to destroy deeply buried targets. Military analysts believe the weapon could be used to strike Iran’s Fordo nuclear site, located beneath a mountain roughly 30 kilometres north of the city of Qom.
Strategic Deployment Raises Questions
Open-source flight tracking services showed aircraft departing from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri and heading toward Guam’s Andersen Air Force Base. According to reports in Haaretz, the group included between two and four stealth bombers, along with six aerial refuelling aircraft.
Military observers are closely monitoring whether the B-2s will be repositioned to Diego Garcia, a US-UK military base in the Indian Ocean. The island, which lies around 3,500 kilometres from Iran, has previously hosted US bombers during conflicts in the region, including recent operations in Yemen. However, launching attacks from Diego Garcia would require British government approval, a condition not necessary when operating from Guam, which is a US territory.
The Pentagon did not immediately respond to media requests for clarification on the bombers' final destination or mission.
Israeli Campaign Intensifies
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday that Israel's campaign against Iran’s military and nuclear infrastructure was "ahead of schedule". He added that Israeli forces were capable of striking all of Iran’s nuclear facilities, including Fordo, with or without US support.
“We will achieve all our objectives and hit all of their nuclear facilities. We have the capability to do that,” Mr Netanyahu told Israeli media. “Whether [President Trump] wants to join or not — that’s entirely his decision.”
Israel launched a broad military campaign against Iran last week, targeting top Iranian military leaders, nuclear scientists, and strategic infrastructure. Tehran responded by launching more than 470 ballistic missiles and around 1,000 drones into Israel. Israeli authorities said the attacks have killed 24 people and left thousands injured.
Uncertainty Over US Role
President Trump has indicated that a decision on possible US military involvement will be made within two weeks. In a statement, he said he was allowing time for potential negotiations to develop before choosing a course of action.
“Based on the fact that there is a chance for substantial negotiations that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future, I will make my decision on whether or not to go within the next two weeks,” he said.
While some members of the US administration have expressed interest in supporting Israel militarily, others have emphasised the need for diplomatic solutions. This divergence has led to uncertainty over the United States’ next steps, especially following Mr Trump’s recent public shifts between advocating diplomacy and issuing threats against Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Critics have noted that the Trump administration has previously set and then postponed several foreign policy deadlines, including those related to Ukraine, China trade talks, and Iran’s nuclear programme. The Israeli campaign began shortly after the expiration of a 60-day deadline Mr Trump had given Iran to reach an agreement.
Context: Strategic Stakes and Global Implications
Iran insists its nuclear programme is peaceful, rejecting claims by Israel and some Western nations that it is on the verge of developing nuclear weapons. The Fordo facility, a key enrichment site, is built deep underground, making it difficult to target without specialised munitions.
Diego Garcia and Guam represent key strategic outposts for the US military. While Guam allows direct operational control without allied permission, Diego Garcia’s proximity to the Middle East makes it a more logistically advantageous base for sustained campaigns. However, diplomatic coordination with the UK remains a prerequisite for its use in offensive operations.
The current crisis has sparked concerns over regional stability, global energy markets, and the broader implications of a potential US-Iran conflict. The deployment of stealth bombers and other assets reflects the Pentagon’s preparedness for a range of contingencies, should diplomacy fail.
The situation remains fluid, with global leaders watching closely to see whether the US will escalate its military posture or pursue a negotiated path forward.
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