The air forces from the United States and Israel are working together this week on a series of joint aerial exercises. The two air forces are simulating what it would take to launch strikes against what many consider the greatest threat in the region, Iran.
According to the Chief of the Israel Defense Forces Aviv Kohavi, the exercises are taking place over Israel and the Mediterranean Sea. Fighter jets and refuelers from both countries are taking part in the drills, which will reportedly simulate “a number of scenarios in the face of regional threats.”
Several local news agencies report the exercises simulate attacks against Iran and its regional proxies. Any attack from Israel against Iran would require pilots flying 1200 miles one way from the Jewish State to Iranian air space.
The Pentagon’s press secretary, Brigadier General Pat Ryder, told reporters on Tuesday the drills were long-planned.
“They are exercising fighter escort and aerial refueling,” Ryder said. “It’s also not something that’s unusual. We exercise with Israel and other countries in the region on a regular basis.”
The exercises may be preplanned and nothing out of the ordinary, but they come at a time of heightened tension between Iran and the West.
Iran is enriching uranium to 60% purity at several nuclear sites now. Experts said the Islamic Republic has enough enriched uranium to reprocess it into fuel for at least one nuclear bomb.
President Biden said the U.S. is committed to stopping Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. Biden said he wants to exhaust all diplomatic efforts first but will use military action if necessary.
The head of the IDF said the U.S. and Israel are at a critical point in time that “requires the acceleration of operational plans and cooperation against Iran and its terrorist proxies.”
