US deploys military aircraft to Israel and evacuates staff from Lebanon

Jerusalem (ANTARA) - The United States deployed additional military assets to Israel’s main airport and evacuated its diplomats from Lebanon on Monday (23/2), signalling a potential escalation with Iran just days before both sides are scheduled to resume nuclear talks.

US aerial refuelling tankers and C-17 Globemaster heavy transport aircraft landed at Ben Gurion Airport in Israel within the past 24 hours as part of an increased US military presence in the region, as reported by Israeli public broadcaster Kan on Monday.

Photographs showed the aircraft stationed at the airport located outside Tel Aviv, Israel’s main international gateway.

The deployment forms part of broader US preparations for a potential strike against Iran, the broadcaster reported.

The deployment comes amid rising tensions between Washington and Tehran, with the US strengthening its presence in the region by deploying additional fighter jets, aircraft carriers, and support assets.

US officials have stated that all options remain on the table should diplomacy fail to resolve disputes over Iran’s nuclear and missile programmes, whilst Iran has warned it would launch retaliatory strikes against US and Israeli targets if attacked.

In a related development, the US Embassy in Lebanon evacuated dozens of its staff via Beirut airport on Monday, Lebanese media reported.

The Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International (LBCI) described the move as a precautionary measure in anticipation of a potential regional escalation.

These latest developments follow two rounds of indirect nuclear talks between the US and Iran this month, with the first round in Muscat on 6 February and the second in Geneva on 17 February. Oman’s foreign minister, Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi, said on Sunday (22/2) that the next round of US-Iran talks would take place on Thursday (26/2) in Geneva.