On June 21, 2025, multiple U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit stealth bombers departed Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri, signaling a significant escalation in the mounting tensions between the United States, Israel, and Iran. This deployment comes amid President Donald Trump’s deliberations on whether to formally join Israel’s ongoing air campaign against Iran, which began earlier that month under the codename Operation Rising Lion.
Observers near Whiteman Air Force Base reported seeing the B-2 bombers take off overnight, and flight tracking data confirmed that several bombers were operating under the callsigns MYTEE11 and MYTEE21—designations typically used for American strategic bombers such as the B-2 and B-52. Although the bombers’ final destination remains undisclosed, reports indicate they were refueled off the U.S. Pacific Coast by Air Force tankers using HIFI callsigns, which are commonly linked to bomber missions.
Israel’s air campaign, which commenced on June 12, aims to cripple Iran’s nuclear weapons development capabilities and dismantle its military leadership. The Israeli military has succeeded in securing air superiority by systematically degrading Iran’s air defenses. However, Israel lacks the heavy bombers and specialized bunker-busting munitions necessary to destroy Iran’s most deeply fortified nuclear facilities, such as the Fordow nuclear enrichment site, which is embedded deep within a mountain and heavily defended.
Experts widely agree that only the United States possesses the military assets capable of effectively targeting and destroying the Fordow facility. Should the U.S. decide to strike, it would likely deploy multiple B-2 bombers armed with GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrators—enormous 30,000-pound bunker-busting bombs designed to penetrate hardened underground targets.
President Trump has publicly stated his readiness to act but remains cautious. On June 17, he called for Iran’s "unconditional surrender," a demand that Iran’s leadership dismissed outright. Subsequently, Trump announced he would decide within two weeks whether to join Israel in combat operations, adding that this window allows Iran "to come to their senses." On June 20, he affirmed, "We’re ready, willing, and able. We’ve been speaking to Iran. We’ll see what happens." Nevertheless, he tempered expectations by saying, "We’re the only ones that have the capability to do it, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to do it. These are incredible planes and weapons." The Pentagon has deferred questions about the bomber deployment to the White House, which has not provided immediate comment.
Simultaneously, the U.S. has bolstered its defensive posture in the region. Approximately 40,000 U.S. troops are stationed in the Middle East, with recent deployments described as purely defensive. U.S. fighter jets have assisted in shooting down Iranian drones, while THAAD missile batteries and Aegis-equipped naval vessels have been deployed to protect Israel, as confirmed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on June 16. Additional ballistic missile defense destroyers have been moved into the eastern Mediterranean, alongside more than two dozen tanker aircraft sent to Europe and extra Air Force fighters to the Middle East. The USS Nimitz aircraft carrier was dispatched to join the USS Carl Vinson, already operating in the region under U.S. Central Command.
Meanwhile, President Trump took decisive military action, announcing the obliteration of three Iranian nuclear sites: Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan. In a social media post, he declared the operation a "spectacular military success," stating that Iran’s key nuclear enrichment facilities "have been completely and totally obliterated." He further warned Iran with a "doomsday final warning," urging the nation to make peace with Israel or face "far greater and a lot easier" future attacks. Trump confirmed that American planes had dropped a "full payload of bombs" on Fordow and had safely exited Iranian airspace.
Speaker Mike Johnson voiced strong support for Trump’s actions, emphasizing that the President gave Iran every chance to negotiate a nuclear disarmament agreement, which Iran declined. Johnson framed the strikes as a necessary measure to prevent "the world’s largest state sponsor of terrorism," which chants "Death to America," from acquiring nuclear weapons, calling it "America First policy in action." He also extended prayers for the safe return of U.S. military personnel involved in the operation.
The conflict’s regional reverberations are profound. Iran and Israel continue to exchange fire, with Iran reporting over 400 deaths since the Israeli strikes began, while Israel has suffered 25 casualties. Analysts suggest that Iran may be rapidly depleting its missile stocks, and Israel is consuming large quantities of interceptor missiles to defend against attacks.
Humanitarian concerns are mounting. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), responsible for aid distribution in Gaza, reported that people in the enclave "desperately need more aid," though the group has faced criticism from other human rights organizations and the United Nations, which labeled its operations a "failure." Gaza is enduring famine-like conditions due to an Israeli aid blockade, with the Hamas-led Health Ministry reporting at least 55,637 deaths since the conflict began in October 2023.
Protests have erupted across Europe, with tens of thousands marching in London and Berlin on June 21, demanding an end to Israel’s war in Gaza. In Berlin alone, police estimated over 10,000 participants, while organizers claimed several thousand more. Demonstrators carried Palestinian flags and signs calling to "Stop arming Israel" and "No war on Iran," reflecting widespread public unease over the escalating conflict.
The international diplomatic landscape remains tense. Germany temporarily relocated its embassy staff in Tehran due to security concerns, and Iran acknowledged detaining a German cyclist accused of spying near a nuclear facility. The United Nations warned of a looming humanitarian crisis, with Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, urging immediate de-escalation to prevent another refugee catastrophe. The UNHCR reported mass movements of civilians fleeing intense bombardments in both Israel and Iran.
Hundreds of U.S. citizens have fled Iran by land since hostilities escalated, though many faced delays and harassment. The State Department continues to advise against travel to Iraq, citing security threats. European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, have pledged to accelerate negotiations with Tehran while demanding the release of detained French nationals accused of espionage.
Meanwhile, Pakistan announced it would nominate President Trump for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize, citing his role in resolving a recent conflict between India and Pakistan. This recognition comes amid speculation that the nomination might influence Trump’s decision regarding deeper involvement in the Israel-Iran conflict.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi cautioned that U.S. involvement in military strikes against Iran would be "very regrettable" and "very dangerous for everybody," reiterating that Tehran would only engage in negotiations if Israel ceased its attacks. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan described the Middle East as having an "Israel problem," urging Muslim nations to support Iran and prevent the conflict from spiraling into a wider regional disaster.
Domestically, Iran has intensified crackdowns on suspected collaborators, with police in Qom province arresting 22 individuals linked to Israeli intelligence since the start of the Israeli attacks. Nationwide, at least 223 people have been detained on similar charges, according to the Norway-based NGO Iran Human Rights.
As the conflict enters a critical phase, the world watches closely. The deployment of U.S. B-2 bombers capable of delivering devastating strikes against Iran’s fortified nuclear sites underscores the gravity of the situation. President Trump’s forthcoming decision on joining Israel’s campaign could reshape the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East, with far-reaching consequences for regional stability and global security.
