US F-22 Stealth Fighter Jets Arrive as Iran Prepares to Strike Israel

TEL AVIV – F-22 stealth fighter jets Raptor United States of America (US) advanced weapons arrived in the Middle East on Thursday, as Washington beefs up its forces in the region ahead of an attack Iran to Israel.

“The deployment is part of a shift in force posture in the region to reduce the possibility of regional escalation by Iran or its proxies,” US Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement.

CENTCOM did not disclose the number of stealth fighter jets deployed or their exact locations in the Middle East.

The Pentagon said Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has ordered the deployment of additional combat assets including a warship and a fighter squadron to the Middle East.

Seven American personnel were wounded in a rocket attack in Iraq earlier this week that Washington said was carried out by an Iran-backed militia group.

“The United States will not tolerate attacks on our personnel in the region,” Austin said at a news conference, as reported by Air and Space ForesFriday (9/8/2024).

“We have adjusted our military posture to strengthen the protection of our forces and to reinforce our strong commitment to the defense of Israel and to remain ready to respond to any eventuality,” Austin continued.

“Additional fighter squadrons to the Middle East will strengthen our defensive air support capabilities there.”

The F-22 is a fifth-generation air superiority fighter jet and is exclusively owned by the US Air Force.