US sends more B-52 bombers to Middle East in previous days of Trump administration
18 January, 2021
The US Central Command in Sunday announced the completion of another B-52 bomber patrol in the Middle East, the next such mission in 17 days.
The mission was completed on Sunday as a way of measuring the country's commitment to regional security, US Central Command said.
“US Air Force B-52H ‘Stratofortress’ oxygen crews efficiently completed a presence patrol in the centre East,” the order said.
The top of Centcom, Gen Frank McKenzie, said the mission showed US preparedness in the region.
"The training chance and continued integration with regional partners improves readiness and provides a clear and consistent concept in the operational environment to both friends and potential adversaries, as well,” Gen McKenzie said.
He said that the steps were section of the US's defensive job in the region.
The fifth Bomber Task Force mission in to the Middle East in the past 62 days came just three times before President Donald Trump leaves office.
Unlike previous statements, that one didn't directly mention Iran.
On the other hand, Iran's Foreign Minister Javad Zarif criticised the US mission.
"If your B-52H 'Presence Patrols' are designed to intimidate or warn Iran, you should have spent those billions on your taxpayers' well being," Mr Zarif wrote.
On Friday, the US Department of Defence announced the inclusion of Israel in Centcom alongside regional claims, instead of the US European Command.
The change in Israel’s membership follows the Abraham Accord, the Pentagon said.
“The easing of tensions between Israel and its own Arab neighbours after the Abraham Accords has provided a strategic chance of america to align key partners against shared threats in the centre East,” it said.
The missions are part of the Trump administration’s optimum pressure campaign against Iran during the past four years.
In the past three months, the US has increased its sanctions on Iran and its military air presence in the Gulf area.
Senior US officials have preserved that the target is deterrence rather than conflict.
“We’re not seeking to escalate ourselves. We're certainly not searching for war with Iran, I actually prefer to emphasise that,” Gen McKenzie stated of the B-52 missions last month.
US president-elect Joe Biden hasn't stated a position on the missions.
His nominee for the Pentagon, retired four-star standard Lloyd Austin, will deal with issues from the Senate in his confirmation hearing on Tuesday.
Mr Austin brings years of experience from the center East seeing as the commander of Centcom between 2013 and 2016, and the Commanding General US Forces found in Iraq between 2010 and 2011.
He oversaw the US withdrawal from the country under the National government.
Source: www.thenationalnews.com