Israeli F-16D fighter jets escort American B-1 bombers through Israeli airspace on June 8, 2023. (Israel Defense Forces)
On June 8, Israeli F-16D fighter jets escorted two American B-1 bombers as they made their way through Israeli airspace returning from the Persian Gulf, in an apparent message to Iran.
The Israeli Defense Forces said in a statement that the flight took place “as part of the close cooperation with the United States Armed Forces, which is a significant component in maintaining the aerial security of the State of Israel and the Middle East.”
From its side, the U.S. Central Command said that the bomber flight was carried out to build “agility and interoperability” with allies in the Middle East.
B-1 bombers dropped multiple munition types on ranges in Saudi Arabia and Jordan during the flight, according to the command.
A U.S. Air Force B-1 Lancer begins aerial refueling from a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 912th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron while conducting a Bomber Task Force mission over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, June 8, 2023. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Emily Farnsworth)
Israeli fighter jets escorted U.S. bombers on joint flights on several occasions in the last two years. Such flights are usually carried out as a warning to Iran, especially when nuclear talks are on halt.
As the last flight was taking place, the White House denied a report that Washington and Tehran were making progress on a new nuclear deal.
The Middle East Eye report said that the U.S. and Iran were moving closer to a deal that would alleviate sanctions on Tehran in return for it limiting its enrichment of uranium and that negotiations have taken place on US soil. In its report, the London-based cited two sources “with direct knowledge of the talks.”
However, a White House National Security Council spokesperson told Reuters that the report is “false and misleading,” adding that “any reports of an interim deal are false.”
Israel remains skeptical of the talks. During a phone call with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Israeli Netanyahu reiterated his position that Iran will not stop advancing its nuclear program, even if it agrees to revive the nuclear deal with Washington.
“Israel will not be bound by any deal with Iran and will do everything to defend itself,” Netanyahu said, according to a readout of the call that was held on June 8.
According to the readout, Netanyahu also expressed his appreciation for the military and intelligence cooperation Israel has with the US “which is at an all-time high”.
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