The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) continued to attack Iranian territory with its air force. Yesterday evening, the IDF announced that the new Chief of the General Staff and Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Major General Ali Shadmani, was assassinated by the Israeli Air Force in the early morning of June 17.
On June 13, Major General Gholam Ali Rashid, the commander of the IRGC, was assassinated by the IDF in the first hours of Operation Am KaLavi. Immediately, Brigadier General Shadmani, who previously held senior positions in the IRGC and oversaw logistics operations during combat, was promoted and appointed to the position. (photo by Major General Gholam Ali Rashid).
The General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces (Khatam al-Anbia) is the highest unit of the Iranian Armed Forces, responsible for organizing and planning, coordinating and directing the combat operations of the army. It is the most important military command center, operating under the command of the Chief of the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces.
US news agency CNN reported on June 17 that US President Donald Trump has convened an emergency meeting of the National Security Council (NSC - an advisory body) to discuss Washington's stance on the situation in the Middle East. However, according to US experts, Washington is unlikely to directly participate in the conflict between Israel and Iran, unless Tehran attacks the US.
But on the contrary, Israeli media reported that Pentagon Chief of Staff Pete Hegseth ordered his subordinates to prepare for the possibility of the US military participating in military operations, together with Israel against Iran, if President Trump gives the green light for this.
US Central Command officials, possibly including CENTCOM commander General Michael E. Kurilla, reportedly support Washington's intervention in the Iran-Israel conflict, but have faced opposition from other senior officials in the Trump administration and among congressional representatives.
It is reported that US Democratic Senator Bernie Sanders has introduced a bill to prohibit President Trump from ordering the US military to engage in a war with Iran. The US Democratic Party opposes the White House's reckless actions.
“Today, I introduced legislation to stop President Trump from dragging us into an illegal war with Iran,” said Senator Bernie Sanders. “Another war in the Middle East would cost countless lives, waste trillions of dollars, and lead to more death, more conflict, and more crisis.”
Earlier, a bill was introduced by Democratic Senator Tim Kaine that would prohibit President Trump from waging war with Iran without congressional approval. Such bills should be considered fairly quickly, but the outcome is hard to predict.
Qatar's Al Jazeera news agency reported that on the night of June 17, a B-1B Lancer supersonic strategic bomber, with its distinctive "sweep-wing" design, carried out an aerial refueling. This was reported by international and regional flight management and tracking companies.
Such activities by US “strategists” could mean several scenarios: preparation for a flight across the Atlantic or Pacific , or exercises combined with a “show of force”, to force Iran to sign a new nuclear deal.
The B-1B strategic bomber, in particular, rarely makes such flights over US airspace; unless it is part of ongoing military operations, or flights in preparation for the start of strike missions, or long-range air patrols.
The US Air Force takes its strategic bombers very seriously, and strives to keep them ready to strike anywhere in the world at the right time. Therefore, such signals should not be ignored. Some B-1Bs have their “question-and-answer” equipment turned on, which is a rare thing in itself.
In addition, the takeoff of a Boeing RC-135U Cobra-49 electronic reconnaissance aircraft also speaks to the readiness of the US military. It should be remembered that the US military has only a few such aircraft, their mission is to participate in reconnaissance and analysis of radar systems, evaluate electronic warfare systems and coordinate attack preparations.
Another notable thing is that the US Air Force's Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker aerial refueling aircraft have also increased significantly. While President Trump was in the White House "Situation Room", nine strategic refueling aircraft were flying over the Mediterranean Sea.
Taking all of these factors into account, it is not yet certain that the US will directly participate in the conflict between Israel and Iran. But in any case, the whole thing is a strong signal that Washington is ready to stand by Tel Aviv against Tehran when necessary.
It should be noted that the second most powerful US bunker-buster, the GBU-28, was also unable to destroy Iran's underground complex at Fordow, where the centrifuges are located. This 2.3-ton bunker-buster can penetrate 30 meters of soil or 7 meters of concrete, and the centrifuges are at least 60 meters deep, and the level of protection is unknown.
But the Americans also have the GBU-57A/B MOP “super penetrator bomb”, which weighs up to 13 tons and can penetrate 60 meters into the ground. It is not known for sure whether the B-1B Lancer, a strategic aircraft of which the US has 44 remaining, can use this bomb, although the B-52 can use this bomb. (photo source: Military Review, Al Jazeera, IRNA).
Source: https://khoahocdoisong.vn/lau-nam-goc-san-sang-iran-dung-truoc-nguy-co-doi-dau-quan-su-voi-my-post1548698.html
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