B-2 Bombers Head West Across Pacific Amidst Iran Crisis

A major B-2 deployment was the key piece missing from the rapid U.S. military buildup ahead of possible strikes on Iran.

Joseph Trevithick

Updated Jun 21, 2025 1:26 PM EDT

It should be stressed here that there are no clear indications one way or the other at this time that the B-2s are actively headed to conduct strikes on Iran, although they have the capability to do so without forward basing. This was demonstrated last October when a group of them flew straight from Whiteman to strike targets in Yemen. At that time, TWZ also highlighted the clear signal that the marathon mission had sent to Iran. . .

There are reports that the stealth bombers are currently heading to Andersen Air Force Base on Guam. If that is true, some or all of the bombers could still continue on to Diego Garcia or other forward locations. Diego Garcia is one of a very limited number of locations outside of the United States with existing infrastructure to support sustained B-2 operations.

Senior Iranian and European officials did meet in Geneva, Switzerland yesterday about a possible diplomatic resolution to the fighting, but the only clear outcome was a readiness for further talks. A new ultimatum from the Trump administration demanding Iran abandon domestic enrichment activities and dismantle other elements of its nuclear program, as well as accept new restrictions on its missile capabilities, was reportedly conveyed to Iran at that time. Even just a forward deployment of B-2s would be in line with a maximum pressure campaign to push the regime in Tehran to accept these terms.

The Iranian government has already pushed back on the possibility of any negotiations while Israeli strikes continue. Israeli officials, for their part, have also expressed disinterest in diplomatic engagement with Iran.

As the force of B-2 bombers continues to head west across the Pacific, their ultimate destination at least may become clearer.

UPDATE: 1:25 pm eastern

Reuters, NBC News, and The Wall Street Journal are now reporting that the B-2s are headed for Andersen Air Force Base on Guam, all citing unnamed U.S. officials. The possibility remains that some or all of the stealth bombers could continue onward to a location like Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean.

Breaking News: U.S. Navy USS Gerald R Ford aircraft carrier deployed to Europe may reinforce Middle East due to Iran tensions.

The USS Gerald R Ford, the U.S. Navy’s most advanced aircraft carrier, is set to depart from Naval Station Norfolk on June 24, 2025, for a planned deployment to Europe.

However, this movement occurs in the midst of rising military tension between Israel and Iran, transforming what was intended as a routine mission into a significant strategic deployment.

With its arrival, the U.S. Navy will field three aircraft carriers in proximity to the Middle East, alongside the USS Carl Vinson and USS Nimitz, marking one of the most concentrated naval postures in recent U.S. history.

Read full Naval News at this link ...