US to Send More Refueling Aircraft to Israel as Trump Weighs Broader Iran Offensive

WASHINGTON, July 17: The United States will deploy dozens of additional aerial refueling aircraft to Israel as President Donald Trump considers expanding military operations against Iran, Axios reported on Friday, citing three US and Israeli officials.

According to the report, Trump reviewed several military options during a White House Situation Room meeting on Tuesday, including a significantly broader offensive beyond the current US strikes around the Strait of Hormuz.

The options reportedly under consideration include attacks on Iranian power plants and other strategic infrastructure, additional strikes on nuclear facilities aimed at further burying Iran's enriched uranium stockpiles, and a possible attack on the underground Pickaxe Mountain site, which is suspected of being developed for nuclear-related activities.

Axios said Trump has not yet made a final decision, but US and Israeli officials indicated that he could authorize an escalation within days.

According to the report, the objective of any expanded military campaign would be to inflict sufficient damage to pressure Iran into reopening the Strait of Hormuz and accepting the Trump administration's demands regarding its nuclear program.

The White House has not officially confirmed the reported plans, and no final decision on expanding military operations has been announced.