Dozens of U.S. Air Force aerial refueling tankers have massed at Ben Gurion Airport, Israel’s primary civilian gateway, leading analysts to conclude the U.S. military is augmenting capabilities to prepare for a possible resumption of strikes against Iran.
The Financial Times, after analyzing satellite imagery of Ben Gurion, reported on May 22 that at least 50 U.S. military refueling tankers have been parked there this month.
According to the FT, the number of tankers at the airport has climbed steadily since late February, just before the U.S. and Israel appeared poised to strike Iran. The count rose from 36 in early March to 47 by early April, when a cease‑fire took effect, and reached roughly 52 this week.
The FT said gray U.S. Air Force aircraft—especially tankers—now crowd the airport ramps so densely they are visible to civilians and motorists on nearby highways.
Ben Gurion Airport sits near Tel Aviv and serves as Israel’s main civilian air gateway.
Aerial refueling tankers are a core enabler for long‑range strikes, significantly extending fighters’ range and on‑station time by refueling them in flight. During the earlier U.S. operation against Iran, known as “Grand Anger,” the U.S. deployed tanker assets such as the KC‑135 and KC‑46 across the Middle East to support long‑range penetration missions by U.S. and Israeli fighters.
Observers say the expanded tanker deployment could be intended to prepare for renewed attacks on Iran.
The U.S. and Iran are engaged in cease‑fire talks, but President Donald Trump has repeatedly said he will not rule out military options. Some reports warn that if negotiations stall, the U.S. and Israel could resume strikes on Iran within days.
At the same time, Israelis are increasingly concerned that Ben Gurion has effectively been turned into a U.S. military hub. Israeli carriers that ceded parking space to military aircraft are facing shortages of ramps and have been forced to relocate some planes to overseas airports.
International law experts warned that using civilian infrastructure for military purposes can make those sites legitimate targets for enemy attacks.
Marco Milanovic, professor of international law at the University of Reading, said, “Israel has a duty under the Geneva Conventions to take all feasible measures to avoid placing military objectives within or near densely populated areas.”
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