AMERICA will unleash its B-52 bombers on Iran if it accelerates its nuclear scheme to create an atomic weapon, an ex-Mossad chief has warned.
It comes amid growing fears Tehran‘s furious regime leaders could rush to develop a nuke bomb after vowing bloody revenge on Israel.
GettyA US B-52 Stratofortress heavy bomber drops bombs. Stock picture[/caption]
APThe Israeli Iron Dome air defense system fires to intercept Iranian missiles over Tel Aviv[/caption]
GettySmoke rises from an oil refinery, northwest of Tehran, Iran[/caption]
Iran was pummeled with an unprecedented blitz on its nuclear bases on Friday by Israel – which wiped out top commanders.
Israel has so far acted alone in its mission to severely deplete Iran’s nuclear ambitions after the US stepped back from plans to blitz the rogue state.
The arch-enemy nations have continued to trade blows as the deadly conflict enters its fourth day amid international pleas for de-escalation.
But a former top staffer of Mossad – Israel’s intelligence agency – said the US will no doubt join Israel’s campaign should Iran succeed in its bid to develop a nuclear bomb.
The insider warned Donald Trump could even deploy America’s nuclear-capable Stratofortress B-52 bombers if Iran creates a nuke weapon.
He insisted “no US president will allow Iran to have a nuclear bomb while he’s serving in the White House” and that Tehran would “pay the price”.
It comes after the US military stationed several B-2 Spirit stealth bombers on the highly strategic island of Diego Garcia.
Meanwhile today the $4.5billion US aircraft carrier USS Nimitz is heading towards the Middle East as Iran and Israel’s deadly conflict risks dragging in other nations.
Data from ship tracking website Marine Traffic shows the 1,092ft long carrier left the South China Sea this morning and is heading west towards the war-torn region.
A formal reception in Danang City later this week has been called off due to “an emergent operational requirement”, a source told Reuters.
Spiralling tensions in the region come as Trump issued a stark warning to Iran’s bloodthirsty leaders – avoid striking US targets or face the “full strength and might” of America’s military.
The US president wrote on Truth Social: “If we are attacked in any way, shape or form by Iran, the full strength and might of the US Armed Forces will come down on you at levels never seen before.
“However, we can easily get a deal done between Iran and Israel, and end this bloody conflict.”
Trump has insisted Iran thrash out a deal aimed at downgrading its nuke programme – but talks, that were supposed to resume on June 15, have so far stalled.
But the Middle East risks exploding into all-out war as Israel and Iran pummel each other with missiles.
The ex-Mossad top brass, however, urged European nations to “seize the moment” to draw a red line under Iran’s nuke programme.
Sun’s trip onboard USS Nimitz
by Ryan Parry, Senior Reporter
AS America sends the flagship USS Nimitz supercarrier to the Middle East amid rising tensions, the Sun reveals what life is like onboard.
The Sun spent two days on board the Nimitz, nicknamed Old Salt, a $4.5billion nuclear-powered supercarrier weighing almost 100,000 tons.
The warship is 1,092ft long and 252ft wide and has a four and a half acre flight deck.
The massive 117,000 sq ft warship boasts four aircraft catapults and jets are brought up to the deck using four giant elevators from the hangar deep below the 4.5 acre flight deck.
The supercarrier, the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 11, holds F/A-18 Super Hornets, EA-18G Growlers and F-35C stealth strike fighters.
Inside the ten floor, 3,000 room hull underneath the flight deck life is one slick operation.
There are several cafeterias, gyms, a Starbucks coffee shop and ‘luxury’ state rooms for ‘Distinguished Visitors’.
Since it is nuclear-powered, the Nimitz – call sign NMTZ – can operate for up to 20 years without refueling.
The Nimitz is the world’s second largest supercarrier, only behind the Gerald R Ford.
Fears have been growing internationally that Iran is on the verge of creating a nuclear bomb, despite the regime’s insistence its scheme is for civilian purposes to generate energy.
Last week, the UN’s watchdog confirmed Iran is not complying with its nuclear obligations for the first time in two decades.
The former intelligence agent has appealed for Western countries to take advantage of the situation for fundamental change while Iran is “completely exposed”.
They said: “I think that the Europeans should stand with the Americans and tell Iran enough is enough.
“Tell the Iranian guys, knock it off.
“Let’s do it. Let’s take it. Let’s seize this moment to do something positive.
“It seems to me that this is an opportunity to have a red line to the Iranians.”
At least eight people were killed when Iranian missiles blitzed Tel Aviv and port city Haifa this morning.
Israel’s military meanwhile said it had killed four senior intelligence officials -including the head of the Revolutionary Guards’ intelligence unit.
A military spokesman also claimed Israel had achieved aerial superiority over Iran and had destroyed more than a third of Iran’s surface-to-surface missile launchers.
At least 100 people were wounded in Israel in the overnight blitz, part of a wave of attacks by Tehran in retaliation for Israel’s strikes.
Israel’s defence minister Israel Katz warned that Iran would “pay the price and soon”.
He said: “The arrogant dictator of Tehran has become a cowardly murderer who targets the civilian home front in Israel to deter the IDF from continuing the attack that is collapsing his capabilities.”
What is the B-52 bomber?
The B-52 Stratofortress is a US Air Force’s heavy bomber which has been in use since the mid-1950s.
One of the reasons why the plane – which has a 150ft wingspan – is still in use is its staggering flying range of 9,000 miles.
And then there’s the awe inspiring payload capability.
In fact its enormous size means they can carry more than 30 tonnes of bombs.
The hulking bomber can also be fitted with large numbers of nuclear-able cruise missiles and precision air-to-surface rockets.
B-52s were synonymous with the bombing of North Vietnam and Cambodia in the 1960s and 1970s during the Cold War.
Its destructive capability was also demonstrated in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars where they were used to demolish caves and underground facilities.
The majority of the 76-strong fleet are based at Barksdale in Louisiana and Minot in North Dakota.
The planes also fly missions from bases outside the US, including the UK and Spain.
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