Trump Considers Major Iran Strike as US Requests Additional Refueling Planes in Israel

The Trump administration has informed Israel of plans to send dozens of additional US military refueling aircraft to the country in the coming days amid considerations for a significant escalation against Iran. This move follows President Donald Trump reviewing new military options during a White House briefing on Tuesday, including a large-scale strike on Iranian infrastructure such as power plants, deeper attacks on nuclear facilities to destroy enriched uranium stockpiles, and targeting the suspected underground nuclear site at Mount Makuh.

While Trump has not made a final decision, officials indicate he is prepared to intensify military actions to inflict substantial damage on Iran, potentially forcing Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and reconsider its nuclear ambitions. Recent US airstrikes over five consecutive days have targeted Iranian positions in the Strait of Hormuz and southern coast, including at least seven bridges near Bandar Abbas, a key Revolutionary Guards hub for weapons and reinforcements.

In response, Iran has escalated attacks on US bases in Jordan, Qatar, Bahrain, Iraq, and Kuwait, with claims of striking a US base in Syria despite American withdrawal months ago. Currently, the US operates about 30 refueling aircraft at Ben Gurion Airport and a similar number at Ramon Airport in southern Israel. The US prefers Ben Gurion for its relative security compared to other regional bases vulnerable to Iranian strikes.

Israeli officials note that Iran remains deterred from directly attacking Israel, aware that such actions would provoke a massive Israeli retaliation. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Iranian leaders against expecting calm if they attack Israel, promising a far more powerful response than before.

The presence of numerous US refueling planes at Ben Gurion has become politically sensitive in Israel, causing significant congestion at the airport and risking flight cancellations during the busy summer travel season. Transport Minister Miri Regev has pushed to relocate or reduce the number of US aircraft, but the Defense Ministry and IDF oppose this. The Trump administration has requested Israel prepare to receive the additional planes within days, with the final decision resting with Netanyahu.