US sends largest stealth bomber force to Indian Ocean base

The Pentagon has deployed six B-2 stealth bombers to the Indian Ocean in what defense ysts are calling the largest forward deployment of its kind

The move places America's most advanced long-range bombers within striking distance of Iran as tensions escalate over Tehran's nuclear program

Commercial satellite imagery confirmed by Hans Christensen, director of the Nuclear Information Project of the Federation of American Scientists

shows the bombers parked in plain view on the tarmac at Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia

Independent journalist Ken Klippenstein shared the new imagery and details of the deployment

which also includes support aircraft and refueling tankers. At this time, none of these movements have been acknowledged by U.S. officials

but defense experts say the visibility is deliberate, a strategic message. The B-2s are capable of carrying both nuclear and bunker-busting weapons

Their range and stealth allow them to bypass air defenses and strike fortified targets

including Iran's underground missile sites. From Diego Garcia, the bombers can reach Tehran and return without refueling

Six B-2s represent about 30 percent of the U.S. stealth bomber fleet

The Pentagon has also kept a second aircraft carrier strike group in the region

and deployed A ground attack aircraft and missile defense systems to Israel President Trump confirmed that direct nuclear talks between the U and Iran will begin Saturday in Oman

He warned that if negotiations fail, it will be a very bad day for Iran

Despite the threats, President Trump says diplomacy remains his preferred path. Iran has rejected direct talks but signaled a willingness to negotiate indirectly

Meantime, European allies face a deadline. By late July, Britain, France and Germany must decide whether to reimpose U.N. sanctions suspended under the 2015 Iran nuclear deal

That decision becomes more urgent as Russia prepares to take over the presidency of the U.N. Security Council in October

Iran has warned it may withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty if sanctions return

The treaty allows international inspectors to monitor Iran's nuclear program and restricts efforts to build nuclear weapons

According to U.N. inspectors, Tehran already holds enough enriched uranium to build several nuclear weapons

Western officials cautioned that reduced transparency or inspection limits could increase the risk of conflict in the region

Israel continues to signal it may act alone if diplomacy fails. Iranian leaders insist their nuclear program is peaceful

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