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The National
a day ago
- Business
- The National
US bombers line up at Diego Garcia base as Iran strike looms
The airbase that could be used to launch bunker-busting strikes on Iran has seen an influx of heavy American bombers and fighters. Satellite images taken three days ago show the presence of four B-52s that can technically drop the 13,600kg GBU-57 bomb needed to penetrate Iran's underground nuclear network. They were spotted by commercial satellite imagery company Planet Labs, and traces how the balance of aircraft at the base has changed as the situation in the Middle East deteriorated. Six F-15 multirole warplanes have also arrived in recent days and would be used to protect the airbase from Iran drone or cruise missile attack. Six KC-135 tankers are also there, giving America the option to refuel aircraft on the approach to Iran if required. There is also the prospect that with aircraft movement into Diego Garcia remaining fluid, B-2 Spirit stealth bombers could also land there, having been spotted in recent months. Diego Garcia, the largest of the Chagos Islands, has been used as the site of a joint UK-US military base since the 1970s due to its strategically important position in the Indian Ocean. The UK recently signed a deal to return the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, with an agreement to lease Diego Garcia for £101 million each year for the next 99 years. Critics of the deal said the UK risks losing an important strategic presence in the Indian Ocean. Diego Garcia would likely be used as a base for a 'stand-off' attack on Iran, The National has been told. 'While they can drop the GBU-57, the fact they have to fly straight and level means that the B-52 would be sitting ducks if used over Iran,' said military aviation expert Tim Ripley. 'But they carry 20 cruise missiles, which they can launch from a distance.' The total value of the jets currently present is approaching $1.5 billion which contrasts with the $12 billion cost of the six B-2s that were at the base two months ago and appear to have been moved back to the US. It is understood that they were there to be used against the Houthis in Yemen as part of America's bombing campaign before a ceasefire was agreed. They are the most expensive aircraft ever built and the only ones certified to drop GBU-57 bombs. Their departure makes it more likely that if US President Donald Trump decides to support Israel by attacking Iran's Fordow nuclear facility hidden in a mountain, the strike will be launched from America. The B-2s would fly from their Whiteman air force base in Missouri direct to the site near Qom − a distance of 11,200km distance. While that is at the very limit of their range, they will be able to receive air-to-air refuelling from tankers stationed in the Middle East and Europe. The Diego Garcia deployment is part of a widespread movement of US warplanes into the region as the possibility of a US attack on Iran increases. A fleet of more than 30 air-to-air refuelling tankers have crossed the Atlantic and are now stationed at airbases across Europe and the Middle East. They have been joined by squadrons of F-22 and F-35 stealth fighters that will be on hand for a major air attack alongside the jets from what will soon be two US aircraft carriers in the region, once the USS Nimitz arrives from the Pacific. But as the Diego Garcia base is a British overseas territory, permission would be required from London before any raid on Iran is undertaken. The UK is likely to face domestic opposition to joining the US in the conflict. Prime Minister Keir Starmer held an emergency Cobra meeting upon his return to the UK from the G7 summit to discuss the UK's response to the crisis. Attorney General Lord Richard Hermer reportedly raised concerns about the legality of the UK's involvement, advising that the UK should limit this to 'defensive' support. However, Sir John Sawers, former head of MI6, on Thursday told the Chatham House think tank's London Conference that he did not see obstacles to a UK green light for use of the archipelago for an Iran mission. 'If American bombers do strike they will almost certainly do so from Diego Garcia,' he said. 'We've just negotiated a long-term lease so there could be an American base on Diego Garcia. I don't see Keir Starmer saying, 'oh, but you can't use it. I'm afraid'. I don't see that. 'It's very straightforward. They've got an American base there and whole purpose of Diego Garcia is so the Americans can use it when they need to use it.' There are some concerns that further escalation with Iran would have the undesired effect of re-enforcing its nuclear ambitions. Former National Security Adviser Lord Peter Ricketts said the UK 'should not' support potential US strikes on Iran. 'The only way we're going to control Iran's nuclear ambitions in the long term is by having a deal with them,' he said. 'I think just coming back and bombing them every few years is not going to make the world safer. In fact, it's going to reinforce their determination to keep working on a nuclear weapon when this round of fighting is over,' he said.
Telegraph
2 days ago
- Politics
- Telegraph
Could Britain follow Trump into Iran? Here are Starmer's options
Keir Starmer has convened the Cobra emergency committee to discuss Britain's possible role in Israel's war with Iran. That probably means that Britain has received or expects to receive a request from America for assistance should president Trump decide to join the campaign. So what could Britain contribute? And what will Starmer agree to? The staging post The key question is Diego Garcia, the Indian Ocean airbase that would be used to launch the main American strike. By last month, the Americans had already mustered 10 heavy bombers on the island: six B2 Spirits, and four B-52s. These are the only machines that can carry the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator – the six-metre, 14-tonne bomb designed to destroy the underground Iranian enrichment centre at Fordow. And the base is an ideal staging post. Perfectly protected by the sea, it lies 5,146.77 km (3,198.06 mi) south of Fordow, with clear flight across open ocean to the Iranian coastline. But Diego Garcia is still a British base, and the United States must seek British permission before using it to launch operations. Donald Trump's existing plan for an attack on Iran probably assumes use of the island, and would have to be rewritten if Britain said no. Can Starmer say no? In theory, yes. Cobra will have to consider legal advice from the Attorney General, and there are good grounds to argue that such an attack would be illegal. It is not authorised by a United Nations resolution and whether it is a genuine act of self-defence will be contested. So by giving the go-ahead, Britain would carry the risk of moral and legal complicity and make its bases a target for Iranian retaliation – without gaining any influence over American policy or war aims. On the other hand, it would take a very brave British prime minister to turn down such a request on a matter of supreme strategic importance for the White House. Especially on the eve of a Nato summit. No prime minister in a comparable situation has ever rejected such a request. Three other areas Britain could help 1. RAF Akrotiri Diego Garcia is not the only British base the Americans may seek to use. The United States may well request permission for its fighter jets, early warning and refuelling aircraft to use RAF Akrotiri, the British airbase in Cyprus. Akrotiri is perfectly placed to project air-power across the Middle East, and has played a key role in every operation in the region going back to the first Gulf War. Again, Starmer would be likely to agree. 2. Defensive interception RAF Typhoon jets and refuelling aircraft have already arrived in Cyprus to provide what Starmer called 'contingency support across the region'. That vague term probably means air cover – partly for Israel, whose air defences are already stretched by incoming Iranian drones and missiles, but mostly for Britain's own bases and personnel. Iranian state media has threatened to strike British, French and American military installations should they enter the war alongside Israel. It is very difficult for fighters to intercept ballistic missiles, but they can shoot down drones. RAF Typhoons took down several Iranian UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) on their way to Israel in April last year. 3. Air-to-Air refuelling Long-range air campaigns need fuel, and lots of it. We know the RAF has put Voyager Air-to-Air refuelling tankers in Cyprus, and they could well be used to keep both British Typhoons in the air, and to supply American aircraft on their missions into Iran. The red line Will the RAF take part in direct strikes on Iranian targets? That seems unlikely. The Typhoon's Storm Shadow cruise missiles and Paveway IV guided bombs are more than capable of precision strikes on hardened targets. But they do not offer any capability the Israelis and Americans do not already have, and the amount of extra fire-power they could contribute would be marginal. Keir Starmer would probably have to push hard for the Americans and Israelis to let the RAF join the mission, because it would imply a quid-pro-quo of surrendering at least some influence over the operation to London. Before he did that, he would have to consider the domestic political ramifications, the diplomatic fallout – and, of course, the risk of RAF pilots being killed in action. He will also have to weigh very carefully the possible consequences for the staff of the British embassy in Tehran, who remain in place although dependents have been evacuated. Neither the Americans nor the Israelis have to worry about that. The ace card By pure chance, HMS Prince of Wales, the Royal Navy's second aircraft carrier, is currently in the Indian Ocean. It hosts at least 18 advanced F35 jets – roughly half of Israel's total. In other words, Britain could expand the Israeli strike capability by 50 per cent – and launch from much closer to Iran itself than either the IDF or the US Air Force. And that does not include the Tomahawk cruise missiles carried by the Astute-class nuclear-powered submarine escorting the carrier. All this would be a significant contribution to the war – and it is potentially a major card for the UK to play, if it so chooses. If he is wise, Starmer would demand a price for such help. That price would be influence over the objectives and execution of the campaign, including rules of engagement. In other words, a seat at the table in deciding how this crisis plays out, and a veto on any plan that Britain considers reckless or a threat to its own interests – which should include the well being of Iranian civilians. The Americans and Israelis might be wary of giving London any such influence – but they might decide that the firepower offered by the Prince of Wales is worth that price.
Spectator
3 days ago
- Politics
- Spectator
Israel isn't close to victory over Iran
Amongst a swirl of pronouncements from Tel Aviv, Washington and Tehran – and against the dramatic backdrop of an Iranian TV presenter's rather tired fire and fury being interrupted by the sound of bombs – Benjamin Netanyahu has claimed that Israel is close to 'victory.' Yet despite Ayatollah Khamenei being hidden in a bunker, experiencing regular panic attacks and now shielded from the worst news of his battered nation, any talk of 'victory' by the Israeli prime minister feels hollow and premature. Talk of human rights, revolutions and the evils of the Islamic Republic have been cast aside as luxuries As this war thunders into its fifth day, Iranians across the country seek only to flee Israeli bombs. Talk of human rights, revolutions and the evils of the Islamic Republic have been cast aside as luxuries when faced with imminent destruction. It's about survival now. And for the Ayatollahs and the IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps), this is now about resistance, seemingly at any cost. Amid talk of 'regime change', we should remember that there is another possibility; Khamenei making way for a younger leader equally keen on resistance, but perhaps willing to talk their way to a pause in fighting, a chance to regroup, rearm and head on to a bomb. Israeli diplomatic pressure on the White House will, therefore, be offering Trump a tantalising glimpse of how close they are to this elusive victory, seeking to get their hands on those B52 bombers that can reduce Iran's nuclear program to dust and dismantle the regime for good. Despite Israel's relentless, and logical, targeting of Iran's missile launchers, and its dismantling of the Islamic Republic's leadership, Iran retains an arsenal of short-range air defense missiles. For all the damage Israel has inflicted on the Iranian nuclear infrastructure, it is unlikely that the disruption to its nuclear program (thought to be a few weeks from achieving weapons grade uranium, and a few years from achieving a warhead) has been significant enough to change those timelines, or, more importantly, to change their minds. Ultimately, the Islamic Republic now knows, more than ever, that it 'needs' a bomb. And it needs to survive. Here's where Donald Trump comes in; to finish the job off once and for all. Or so the theory goes. Last night the US president told everyone 'to evacuate Tehran immediately', suggesting imminent US air strikes. Although we are told that it could be in Iran's interest for the war to expand into the region, playing to Iran's fabled (if crumpled) asymmetrical strengths, the very last thing Tehran needs is American warplanes joining in the fight. But how far will the US involve itself? A continuing exchange of fire in which both sides dig their heels in, and the world mostly watches on as ordinary citizens pay the ultimate price, still seems the most likely scenario. In this age of forever wars, Trump faces an unenviable choice, as do the Iranian and Israeli people. There really are no victors here.
The Sun
11-06-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
‘City-destroying' nuclear missile unveiled by US after years of secret flights – it's 10x deadlier than Hiroshima bomb
AMERICA'S military bosses have today showed off a city-destroying nuke after years of secret flights. The AGM-181A Long-Range Standoff (LRSO) nuclear cruise missile can evade electronic jamming attacks and features stealth capabilities. 4 4 It will unleash thermonuclear warheads on enemies. Military chiefs released an artist's concept pic to give a glimpse of the AGM-181A Long-Range Standoff (LRSO) nuclear cruise missile. It is being developed in answer to the rapid growth of China's nuclear arsenal. America's next-generation nuclear cruise missile has a range exceeding 1,500 miles. It is also expected to have an adjustable nuclear yield from five to 150 kilotons. That's a blast which is ten times more powerful than the bomb dropped on Hiroshima in August 1945. By comparison, deadly Tomahawks have a range of 1,500 miles, and the intermediate-range cruise missiles are equipped with a 1000-pound conventional warhead. The nuclear-armed cruise missile will arm America's warfighter B-21 - part of the Air Force strategic bomber fleet - and its famous combat bomber, the B-52. The United States has secretly been testing the new nuclear weapon for years. Once operational in battle, it'll be hard for the enemy to spot - and destroy - thanks to its 'low-observable design' according to defense and security experts at 19FortyFive. Watch Trump intel chief Tulsi Gabbard warn of nuclear 'annihilation' & slam 'elites with bomb shelters' in puzzling vid And the missile's development is rapidly progressing ahead of schedule. The AGM-181A will replace the 40-year-old AGM-86B Air-Launched Cruise Missile. Air Force officials have confirmed that the nuke has already undergone a series of successful flight tests, and it is set for frontline service by 2030. The weapon offers stealth characteristics, jet propulsion, a range exceeding 1,500 miles, and an adjustable nuclear yield from five to 150 kilotons. 4 But mystery remains, as few facts have been released about the LRSO's capabilities - the program remains highly classified. What is known - according to defense experts - is that it will be able to blast enemy targets well over 1,500 miles away. It's also expected to have subsonic missiles - which fly at a speed lesser than that of sound. Plus it will have the ability to navigate in any tough environment. TOP SECRET "This highly secretive nuclear cruise missile is expected to offer a low-observable design meant to limit chances of intercept. "The LRSO's total range, top speed, and estimated radar return all remain classified," said 1945. The artist's pic reveals a sleek, stealthy weapon designed to evade modern air defences. The nuke's high-tech features mean it'll be perfect against electronic warfare, as it can be used when GPS jamming is carried out. It's pegged to replace America's only nuclear-armed cruise missile in operation today, which has served since the start of the Cold War - and are becoming obselete. Defense experts at The War Zone (TWZ) wrote, "LRSO is set to replace the AGM-86B Air Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM), which has served since the twilight of the Cold War." STEALTH MODE Commenting on the first unclassified image, TWZ said the AGM-181A features an inverted tail. It also noted, "The missile looks like it has a trapezoidal fuselage cross-section design with a wedge-like nose. "We see no air inlet in the concept rendering, which could be for security reasons, considering the inlet design is often a closely guarded feature on stealthy flying machines - or it could be located on the top of the missile." BUILT IN U.S. The experts warned, though, that the concept pic could well be inaccurate, as "some features will be omitted or even misleading for an initial public release." They described it as a "critical tool" for American's nuclear triad - hoped to avert a "nuclear holocaust." It's being built by major American aerospace and defense firm Raytheon, with production slated for 1,020 units, according to 1945. The nukes will be carried by both the forthcoming £585 million B-21 Raider and upgraded B-52 Stratofortress bombers. The AGM-181s are expected to replace the AGM-86B missiles by 2030, added TWZ, quoting a Pentagon acquisition report. The Pentagon's 2022 acquisition estimates the program will cost $16 billion for 1,020 missiles. And unit costs are currently projected to be around $14 million. Interesting Engineering said the LRSO "arrives as the United States recalibrates its nuclear posture in response to rapid advances in Russian and Chinese strategic capabilities. "With the aging Air-Launched Cruise Missile nearing obsolescence and no other nuclear cruise missile currently in service, the AGM-181A LRSO will fill a crucial gap in US deterrence strategy." WAR TURMOIL Its development comes during one of the most violent periods since the end of the Second World War. US intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard warned on Tuesday, after a trip to Hiroshima, that "warmongers" were pushing the world to the brink of nuclear war. She posted a video of grisly footage from the world's first nuclear attack, and said, "A single nuclear weapon today could kill millions in just minutes. 'As we stand here today closer to the brink of nuclear annihilation than ever before, political elites and warmongers are carelessly fomenting fear and tensions between nuclear powers.' These include ongoing threats from Iran, China, North Korea and Russia. US TARGETS Iran today threatened to target US military bases in the region if conflict breaks out. Meanwhile, evil despot Vladimir Putin has his brutal ambitions set on invading Nato, warned Bruno Kahl, head of Berlin's Federal Intelligence Service. And just last October, the U.S. and its allies said they were 'alarmed' by North Korea's nuclear and missile threats. An opinion piece in The Hill on the China threat starkly warned yesterday, 'America needs to urgently prepare for war.' It cited Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who said on May 31, 'There's no reason to sugarcoat it, the threat China poses is real. And it could be imminent.' The Hill said, 'The Chinese regime, which is mobilizing all of society for war, is now unstable. It is not clear who, if anyone, is in charge. Therefore, the regime could take us by surprise. 'Given all the turmoil in the Chinese military, America and its partners need to focus on more than just Taiwan. In fact, the main island of Taiwan might be the least likely target.'
South China Morning Post
21-05-2025
- Science
- South China Morning Post
PLA researchers rank Cold War relic B-52 a bigger nuclear threat than F-35, B-2
A threat assessment by a Chinese research team into the US military's capability of launching a tactical nuclear air strike on China has come up with some unexpected findings. Advertisement According to the researchers, led by Wang Bingqie from the PLA Air Force Early Warning Academy in Wuhan, the 70-year-old B-52 Stratofortress bomber, a relic of the Cold War , emerged as the top threat across all combat phases – deployment, penetration, and strike. The results of the study, which simulated a US Air Force penetrating counterair (PCA) operation on Chinese naval fleets or inland targets, were published on Friday in China's leading security journal Modern Defence Technology. The PCA strategy is based on advanced platforms like F-35A stealth fighters and B-2 Spirit bombers – both capable of carrying nuclear weapons – and drones collaborating in a networked system-of-systems attack. The paper noted that the US B61-12 air-launched tactical thermonuclear bombs, each equivalent to 300 tonnes of TNT, were 'primarily meant for deterrence but could be used to cripple core A2/AD (anti-access/area denial) facilities and critical nodes if necessary'. Advertisement 'These nuclear-armed platforms enhance lethality through blast waves, radiation penetration, and radioactive contamination, significantly amplifying their destructive power beyond conventional fragmentation and penetration effects,' it said.
