B-2 Bombers Deployed to Guam Amid Rising Middle East Tensions

The United States is relocating B-2 bombers to the Pacific island of Guam, according to two U.S. officials who spoke to Reuters on Saturday. This move comes as President Donald Trump considers whether to involve the U.S. in Israel’s military actions against Iran.

It’s still unclear if the deployment of bombers is related to tensions in the Middle East.

The B-2 is capable of carrying the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator, weighing 30,000 pounds, which is designed to target deep underground facilities. This weapon could potentially be used against Iran’s nuclear sites, such as Fordow.

The sources, who chose to remain anonymous, did not provide further details. One official mentioned that no orders have been issued to move the bombers beyond Guam, nor did they specify how many B-2s were being deployed.

The Pentagon has yet to respond to requests for comments.

Experts and officials are watching closely to see if the B-2s will proceed to the U.S.-British military base on Diego Garcia, which is strategically positioned for operations in the Middle East.

B-2 bombers were stationed at Diego Garcia until last month when they were replaced by B-52 bombers.

Israel reported on Saturday that it had killed an experienced Iranian commander during the ongoing airstrikes, which have lasted over a week, as Tehran declared it wouldn’t negotiate over its nuclear program while under threat.

While Israel claims Iran is nearing the capability to develop nuclear weapons, Iran maintains that its nuclear program is solely for peaceful purposes.

Trump mentioned he would take up to two weeks to decide on U.S. involvement in the conflict alongside Israel, allowing time “to see whether or not people come to their senses,” as he put it.

Reuters was the first to report this week about the relocation of several tanker aircraft to Europe and additional military resources to the Middle East, including the deployment of more fighter jets.

An aircraft carrier from the Indo-Pacific is also making its way to the Middle East.

‘450 missiles’

Since the onset of Israel’s operation on June 13, targeting nuclear and military sites while also impacting residential areas, Iran has responded with numerous strikes, resulting in at least 25 reported deaths, according to Israeli authorities.

A hospital in Haifa, Israel’s port city, reported 19 injuries, including one person in serious condition, following the latest Iranian missile attacks.

More than 450 missiles and approximately 400 drones have been launched toward Israel, according to data from Israel’s National Public Diplomacy Directorate.

Conversely, Iranian state-run Nour News, citing health ministry figures, reported that Israeli strikes have resulted in the deaths of at least 430 individuals, including military leaders, nuclear scientists, and civilians.

A U.S.-based NGO, the Human Rights Activists News Agency, provided a reported toll on Friday, stating that at least 657 have died in Iran, including 263 civilians.