US, Israel Conduct Joint Bombing Drills in the Middle East

American bombers were joined by aircraft from Washington’s Middle East partners for war games last week. The exercises were said to showcase America’s “ability to deliver overwhelming power at a moment’s notice.”

Washington flew B1-B bombers and dropped bombs on ranges in Saudi Arabia and Jordan on Tuesday. Al-Monitor reports that Saudi and Jordanian aircraft also participated in the war games. The Department of Defense is not naming the five Mid East partners engaging in the drills. 

Israel confirmed their participation by tweeting a photo of two F-16s from the Israeli Defense Forces flying alongside an American bomber. 

The Air Force says the operations are a show of force. “These bomber missions represent the US’s commitment to our partners and showcase our ability to deliver overwhelming power at a moment’s notice,” Lt. Gen. Alexus G. Grynkewich, the Air Forces Central commander, said. “Today was a demonstration of that capability and the strength of our partnerships.”

In a press release, the Air Force described the drills as historic. “This particular Bomber Task Force mission was historic in that it was the first time AFCENT flew multiple weapons types and practiced employment against multiple simulated targets during a single bomber task force mission,” it said. 

While the statement did not name Iran, Tehran is the primary adversary of Washington and Tel Aviv in the Middle East. However, Iran has worked to mend ties in the region recently. In March, Beijing brokered a normalization agreement between Tehran and Riyadh. Last week, Middle East Eye reported the US and Iran were nearing an agreement that would see both countries begin to return to the 2015 nuclear deal. 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Secretary of State Antony Blinken that no deal the US makes with Iran would prevent Israel from attacking the country over its nuclear program. 

Washington is additionally working to push Riyadh to develop deeper ties with Tel Aviv. Tehran may view Saudi’s participation as Riyadh joining the hostile US-Israel axis. Tel Aviv primarily bombs Iranian allies in Syria, Lebanon and Gaza.