Satellite imagery has revealed the deployment of six nuclear-capable B-2 Spirit stealth bombers to the US military base on Diego Garcia, a strategic Indian Ocean outpost, according to bne IntelliNews.
The move comes as Washington intensifies pressure on Iran over its nuclear programme and support for Yemen’s Houthi rebels. The deployment signals preparations for potential strikes against hardened Iranian nuclear facilities, amid fears of a looming US-Israel military confrontation with Tehran.
The bombers arrived at Camp Thunder Bay as the US approaches a critical two-month deadline set by President Donald Trump for Iran to halt uranium enrichment. Analysts suggest the B-2s—capable of carrying the 12,300kg GBU-57 “Massive Ordnance Penetrator”—are positioned to target underground sites like Fordow, should diplomacy fail.
The deployment coincides with heightened Houthi-linked airstrikes, with White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirming over 100 US strikes in Yemen since mid-March.
Each $2.1bn B-2 boasts a 172-foot wingspan, a 6,000-nautical-mile range, and the ability to operate at 50,000 feet, making it ideal for penetrating heavily defended airspace. The US Air Force’s fleet of 20 operational B-2s now constitutes nearly a third of its total stealth bomber force.
Escalation risks
Tensions spiked further in May 2024 when an Iranian warship, IRIS Shahid Mahdavi, was tracked just 1 km from Diego Garcia, raising concerns over Tehran’s surveillance of US assets.
The Diego Garcia buildup aligns with a broader Pentagon reshuffle of missile defences: two Patriot batteries and a THAAD system are being relocated from the Indo-Pacific to the Middle East, likely bound for Saudi Arabia or Bahrain.
The Trump administration’s ultimatum follows Iran’s reported enrichment of uranium to near-weapons-grade levels. Israeli media has speculated about pre-emptive strikes, while Houthi officials claim 17 casualties from recent US operations.
As Diego Garcia becomes a linchpin for potential operations, the presence of B-2s underscores Washington’s readiness to employ overwhelming force, a gamble that could either deter Tehran or ignite a broader conflict in the Gulf.
