U.S. Refueling and Cargo Aircraft Spotted at Ben Gurion Airport Amid Iran Tensions

by | Feb 24, 2026 | News

A large fire is burning in a city

American military refueling and cargo planes were seen this week at Ben Gurion Airport, as the United States continues a major military buildup in the Middle East.

The aircraft included Boeing KC-135 refueling planes and C-17 cargo planes, some arriving from Al Udeid Air Base, the largest U.S. base in the region. Israeli authorities did not comment on the deployment.

The sightings come as the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier arrived in Crete and joined other U.S. naval forces already stationed nearby. Analysts say more than 250 American military aircraft have entered the region since mid-February.

The buildup coincides with ongoing nuclear talks with Iran and renewed anti-government protests inside the country, particularly at universities in Tehran, Isfahan, and Mashhad.

Several countries, including India, have urged their citizens to leave Iran as the situation remains volatile.

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