Around a dozen US Air Force F-35 Lightning II fighter jets have been spotted travelling over the UK, flanking refuelling tankers believed to be en route to the Middle East.
Images posted on social media appear to show four F-35s flanking each tanker following the sudden and mass deployment of refuelling aircraft from the United States to Europe, at the weekend.
Dozens of KC-135 Stratotankers and KC-46 Pegasus tankers made their way across the North Atlantic as the Irsael-Iran conflict, now in its fifth day, continued to escalate with further airstrikes by both nations.
US Secretary of Defence, Pete Hegseth confirmed he had authorised the deployment of “additional capabilities to the United States Central Command Area of Responsibility,” adding that “Protecting U.S. forces is our top priority and these deployments are intended to enhance our defensive posture in the region.”
Both F-35 Lightning IIs and F-22 Raptors are rumoured to be in the air according to aviation enthusiasts tracking the aircraft through live radar trackers.
Many of the aforementioned refuelling tankers are understood to have landed at Ramstein Air Base in Germany and Spain’s Morón Air Base and NAS Rota.
Two landed at Aviano Air Base in Italy while one landed at Prestwick International Airport in the UK and three at Greece’s Souda Bay.
Canada hosted a G7 Summit on Monday during which its newly-elected Prime Minister Mark Carney as well as Sir Keir Starmer and the leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Japan and President Trump were expected to sign a document calling for an immediate de-escalation in the Middle East.
But, Trump torpedoed the agreement before exiting the summit early, later posting on his Truth social media platform that French President Macron was incorrect when claiming the 79-year-old had done so to work on a ceasefire between Israel and Iran.
“Wrong! He has no idea why I am now on my way to Washington, but it certainly has nothing to do with a Cease Fire. Much bigger than that,” Trump posted, before adding “Iran should have signed the ‘deal’ I told them to sign.
“What a shame, and waste of human life. Simply stated, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. I said it over and over again! Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!”
More than 200 people have been killed in Iran after Israel’s bombing campaign, with more than 20 Israelis killed in retaliatory strikes.
An anonymous Washington source is reported to have said the refuelling tankers were dispatched “To provide options to President Donald Trump as Middle East tensions erupt into conflict between Iran and Israel.”
The large aircraft allow fighter jets, bombers or support aircraft to refuel mid-flight during operations.