As a consequence of the deterioration of relations between the United States and Iran, Washington announced that it would deploy a formation of bombers in the Middle East.
The announcement was made by John Bolton, President Trump’s national security advisor, on May 6, 2019. Four B-52H Stratofortress strategic bombers should be deployed Additionally the USS Abraham Lincoln, along with its Carrier Strike Group 12, should also be deployed earlier than planned in the US Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility.
According to U.S. officials, that decision is a reaction to increased Iranian threats towards American soldiers operating in the regions. “U.S. Central Command continues to track a number of credible threat streams emanating from the regime in Iran throughout the CENTCOM area of responsibility,” said Captain Bill Urban, a spokesman for U.S. Central Command.
A year ago, the United States withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPoA), an agreement on the Iranian nuclear program that also involved Germany, China, France, United Kingdom, and Russia.
Since then, tensions have recently escalated between the United States and Iran, and both countries have even classified their respective armies as “terrorist groups” on April 9, 2019.
With the withdrawal, the United States also decided to reestablish economic sanctions on Iran. Those have weighed a heavy cost on the aviation industry, as both Boeing and Airbus had multi-billion ongoing contracts with several Iranian airlines. The fleet of the country is dangerously aging.