The United States has recently deployed powerful B-2 stealth bombers to Diego Garcia, a remote military base located in the Indian Ocean.
U.S. Bombers Move to Diego Garcia
This base is more than 3,000 miles away from Iran, but it plays a big role in America’s military strategy.
The B-2 is a unique aircraft. It is designed to fly long distances without being detected by radar. These bombers are capable of carrying large loads of bombs and flying into heavily protected areas. Sending them to Diego Garcia sends a strong message, especially at a time when tensions are rising between the United States and Iran.
The movement of these bombers is not new. Diego Garcia has been used in the past for major operations, including military actions in Iraq and Afghanistan. It offers a safe spot far away from enemy missiles and threats. The base allows bombers to fly long distances to hit targets, and then safely return.
Although Iran says it could strike Diego Garcia, the truth is more complicated. The base is outside the range of most of Iran’s missiles. Even their longest-range missiles have failed to hit closer targets with accuracy. It is more than double the distance of Israel, where Iranian missiles have missed their targets in the past.
Iran’s Ports Could Be Targets
If Iran were to launch an attack on U.S. forces, military experts believe America would need to respond quickly and forcefully. One suggested plan would be to destroy two important Iranian ports: Chabahar and Jask. These two ports are not inside the narrow Persian Gulf, but instead open out into the Indian Ocean—closer to the region where the U.S. maintains strategic forces at Diego Garcia.
Chabahar is a major shipping port that Iran has worked hard to develop. It connects Iran to trade routes in Central Asia and could be a valuable asset for shipping and naval power. Over the years, Iran has tried to improve Chabahar, sometimes with help from other countries. Its location gives Iran more reach in the Indian Ocean, beyond the Strait of Hormuz, and in the broader waters patrolled by U.S. bombers from Diego Garcia.
Jask, although smaller than Chabahar, is also important. Iran has used this port to base some of its submarines. Being located outside the Strait of Hormuz gives Iran more freedom to move its naval forces. For Iran, Jask is a key military point for controlling access to the Persian Gulf. However, if tensions escalate and U.S. bombers from Diego Garcia are activated, both Chabahar and Jask could face serious damage.
If these two ports were destroyed, Iran would lose much of its direct access to the open sea. Its naval forces would be stuck inside the Persian Gulf. This would make it harder for Iran to move its ships freely, especially if the U.S. or other countries decided to block the Strait of Hormuz.
Targeting Chabahar and Jask would also affect Iran’s partnerships. These ports have drawn interest from other nations, including China. If they are damaged, Iran becomes less useful as a partner, especially for countries that want to trade or invest in the region.
Signs of Escalation
Right now, there is no war. The movement of B-2 bombers does not mean war is about to begin. These actions are usually meant to scare the other side and stop them from doing anything risky. But there are warning signs that the situation could grow worse.
In past years, the United States has used military power not to start war, but to stop one from happening. For example, when a high-ranking Iranian commander was killed near Baghdad airport, the U.S. sent more bombers to Diego Garcia. This move was meant to stop Iran from responding with violence.
If the U.S. ever decides that war is very likely, one of the first things it may do is move its aircraft carriers out of the Persian Gulf and into the deeper Indian Ocean. This step would help keep U.S. ships safer from small Iranian boats, sea mines, and anti-ship missiles. At the same time, it would allow U.S. planes to strike targets deep inside Iran.
Iran has attacked military bases before. U.S. forces in Iraq and Iraqi Kurdistan have been targeted with missiles and drones. Other nearby American bases, like the Al-Udeid Airbase in Qatar or the Fifth Fleet’s headquarters in Bahrain, are within Iran’s reach.
If Iran ever chooses to attack one of these locations, it would be a serious move. The response could include a limited strike on key facilities like Chabahar and Jask, which are easier to hit and less likely to cause a full war.
Other possible targets, such as the major naval base at Bandar Abbas or the Kharg Oil Terminal where most of Iran’s oil is shipped from, are usually considered only in cases of total war.
For now, the bombers are in place, and both sides are watching each other closely. The situation remains tense, and the next move could change everything.