Panama City: US Secretary for Defense Pete Hegseth said that it was up to Iran to decide whether the recent deployment of American stealth bombers B-2 to a joint Indian Ocean base is supposed to warn, because diplomatic efforts to resolve tensions on the Teheran nuclear program continue.
Up to six B-2 bombers were relocated in March in an American-British military base on the island of the Indian Ocean of Diego Garcia, American officials told Reuters, in the midst of an American bombing campaign in Yemen and increasing tensions with Iran.
There are only 20 B-2 bombers in the Air Force inventory, so they are generally used sparingly.
Experts say that B-2s, which have stealth technology and can transport the heaviest American bombs and nuclear weapons, are ideally placed to operate in the Middle East.
When asked if the B-2 deployment was designed as a message to Iran, Hegseth replied: “We will let them decide.”
“It’s a great asset … He sends a message to everyone,” he told journalists during a visit to Panama.
“President Trump was clear … Iran should not have a nuclear bomb,” he said. “We hope very much – the president focuses on this peacefully.”
Trump announced on Monday announced a surprise announcement that the United States and Iran had to start direct interviews on the Tehran nuclear program on Saturday. He warned that Iran would be “in great danger” if the talks failed.
Iran, which had resisted Trump’s requests in recent weeks, said that indirect talks would take place in Oman, highlighting the Gulf between the two parties.
Trump reiterated a threat to use military force on Wednesday if Iran refused to abandon its nuclear ambitions.
“I don’t ask for much … But they can’t have a nuclear weapon,” Trump told journalists.
He refused to say when military action could begin.
Although B-2 bombers have already been used to hit Houthi targets in Yemen, many experts think that the deployment of stealth aircraft is exaggerated.
However, the B-2 can transport the GBBU-57 GBU-57 massive penetrator-a weapon designed to destroy deeply buried targets. Experts believe it could be used to target Iranian nuclear infrastructure.
Western powers accuse Iran of having secretly tried to develop nuclear weapons by enriching uranium at levels beyond what is necessary for the end of civil energy.
Tehran insists that his nuclear program is only for the production of electricity and other peaceful purposes.
