US F-22 fighter jets positioned on runway at Israeli air base as regional tensions rise about possible strike on Iran: Report

By Said Amori

JERUSALEM (AA) - Several US F-22 fighter jets were observed positioned on the runway at the Ovda Air Base in the Negev region of southern Israel amid heightened regional tensions about a possible US strike on Iran, the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper reported Friday.

Satellite images published by Chinese company MizarVision showed the arrival of 11 US F-22 aircraft at the base, according to the report.

It said the images also showed four fighter jets positioned on the runway alongside a C-17 military transport aircraft, which the newspaper said likely delivered equipment to the base.

Yedioth Ahronoth said the movements come amid rising regional tensions and Israeli assessments that US President Donald Trump could order a strike against Iran as American forces and equipment have continued to be transferred to the region in recent weeks.

Other satellite images showed the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar appearing empty of US refueling aircraft. At the same time, similar planes were spotted at the Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv, the newspaper added.

It also reported activity at US bases on the Greek island of Crete, on Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean and at the Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia.

In the same context, the paper said the US has advised its employees and nationals in Israel that they may leave the country if they wish, warning that commercial flights could soon be disrupted.

China has urged its nationals to leave Iran, while Britain announced the temporary evacuation of staff from Iran due to the security situation.

Tensions have mounted amid concerns that Washington could launch a military strike on Iran if no agreement is reached on Tehran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs, with Israeli preparations underway for a potential Iranian response.

On Thursday, a third round of talks between Iran and the US was held in Geneva under Omani mediation. A second round took place in Geneva on Feb. 18, following an initial round hosted by Oman on Feb. 6, after talks had stalled in the wake of Israeli and US attacks on Iran last June.

The US is demanding that Iran fully halt uranium enrichment, transfer enriched uranium abroad and abandon its ballistic missile program, while signaling that military force remains an option, as it has reinforced its military presence in the region in recent weeks and signaled the possibility of military action to pressure Iran to abandon its nuclear and missile programs and curb “its regional allies.”

Tehran has accused Washington and Israel of fabricating pretexts for intervention and regime change and has warned it would respond to any military attack, even if limited, while insisting that sanctions relief must accompany any restrictions on its nuclear program.

*Writing by Mohammad Sio in Istanbul