Click to see full-size image. (MizarVision)
Satellite images released by China’s MizarVision indicate that the United States has begun to prepare a key bomber base on Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean for possible military operations against Iran.
Since the start of the year, President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened Iran over a deadly wave of protests and alleged plans to execute prisoners. Recent weeks also saw a large-scale U.S. military buildup in the Middle East.
The Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia, leased to the U.S. by the United Kingdom, enables rapid power projection, bomber operations, logistics, and surveillance across the Middle East, Indo-Pacific, and beyond. It typically hosts around 2,500–4,000 total personnel, with U.S. military troops numbering roughly 300–500.
The base is located 3,795 kilometers away from Iran, and while this distance may seem long, it is very suitable for bomber operations as it is close enough to allow regular raids on the Islamic Republic and far enough to protect military assets deployed there.
The new images from MizarVision, published on February 6, show an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer docked at the base port.
Destroyers of this class are typically armed with Tomahawk land-attack cruise missiles, but more importantly equipped with the Aegis Combat System, which has anti-missile capabilities. Thus, the destroyer deployed at Diego Garcia is likely tasked with defending the island.
Click to see full-size image. (MizarVision)
Click to see full-size image. (MizarVision)
The images also show two P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, three KC-135 Stratotanker takers, and two C-130-type planes, which are reported to be MC-130J Commando IIs equipped for special operations, like the infiltration, exfiltration, and resupply of special operations forces.
Click to see full-size image. (MizarVision)
Notably, the images show no strategic bombers. This is not surprising, however. The bombers that attacked Iranian nuclear sites during the 12-day war in June of last year flew all the way from the U.S. mainland. That was a one-off strike. Any future war with the Islamic Republic will likely include a longer aerial campaign, and for that bombers will likely be deployed right before or even after the first strike to achieve the element of surprise.
The U.S. and Iran held indirect talks in Oman on February 6. Both sides reported a positive atmosphere. However, there are indications that much progress was made.
The latest images of Diego Garcia indicate that the U.S. is actively preparing for war with the Islamic Republic. This does not mean that the two sides could still reach some deal.
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tomahawks utterly failed to hit their targets when deployed against supposed terrorists in nigeria. 🤣