The use of a B-1 bomber, the first since fighting with Iran resumed, marks a clear step up in the scale of US strikes and signals Washington may be preparing for a broader campaign rather than the more limited strikes seen in recent days. That escalation risk, layered on top of an unresolved standoff over the Strait of Hormuz and a fresh Houthi attack on Saudi shipping, keeps a substantial geopolitical premium embedded in oil prices and raises the risk of a sharper supply disruption across two major chokepoints at once. Ongoing Qatari mediated talks aimed at reopening the strait offer a potential de-escalation path, but reports that Iran has not accepted the latest proposal suggest markets should not expect a near term resolution. With Trump still weighing a return to major combat operations that officials say could come within days, volatility in oil and regional risk assets is likely to stay elevated.
—
A first B-1 bomber strike on Iran signals the war could be entering a far more intense phase, even as mediators scramble to reopen Hormuz.
Summary:
- US military used a B-1 long-range bomber Tuesday to strike IRGC targets in Iran, the first B-1 mission since fighting resumed 12 days ago
- The B-1 can carry two dozen 2,000lb bombs or dozens of cruise missiles and flies faster than sound at low altitude
- CENTCOM’s public statement on Tuesday’s strikes did not mention the B-1 mission specifically
- Trump is still weighing a return to major combat operations against Iran, which US and Israeli officials say could happen within days
- Houthi rebels attacked Saudi ships for the first time since declaring a blockade, which a US official said may be Iran directed to open a new front in the Red Sea
- Qatari mediators continue talks with US, Iranian and Omani officials on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, though Iran has reportedly not accepted the latest proposal
The US military used a B-1 long-range bomber on Tuesday to strike Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps targets inside Iran, the first time a B-1 has flown a mission since fighting between the two countries resumed 12 days ago, according to Axios, which cited US officials. The bomber, capable of carrying roughly two dozen 2,000 pound bombs or dozens of cruise missiles and flying faster than sound at low altitude, represents the largest bomb load of any bomber in the US arsenal, and its deployment signals a notable expansion of the campaign against Iran.
The mission launched from an airbase in the UK and was tracked by online plane spotting sites. Notably, US Central Command’s public statement on Tuesday’s strikes did not mention the B-1 mission, instead describing attacks on Iranian military operations centers, maritime capabilities, aircraft hangars, drone storage facilities and logistics infrastructure aimed at degrading Iran’s ability to threaten shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. It remains unclear what specific targets the B-1 hit or whether the mission proved more effective than other recent strikes. The US flew similar B-1 missions during the earlier phase of the conflict known as Operation Epic Fury, hitting missile bases, command centers, weapons storage sites and air defense systems.
Despite the expanded strikes, Iran has shown no sign of shifting its position on the Strait of Hormuz and continues to target US bases in the region, with officials divided over how much military capability Iran retains near the strait. President Trump has threatened to bomb bridges and power plants, including in Tehran, if Iran attacks further vessels there, prompting Iran to threaten infrastructure in Gulf countries allied with Washington. Separately, Houthi rebels struck Saudi ships for the first time since declaring their blockade, a move a US defense official suggested may be directed by Iran to open a second pressure point in the Red Sea alongside the Gulf, prompting several vessels to divert away from the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
Qatari mediators are continuing talks with US, Iranian and Omani officials in an effort to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and halt the fighting, though a regional source said Iranian leadership has not accepted the latest proposal on the table. Trump, speaking in Georgia on Wednesday night, suggested Iran was under heavy pressure and might eventually seek a deal, but expressed skepticism about the durability of any near term agreement. With US forces continuing to build up in the region and Trump still weighing a full return to major combat operations, officials on both the US and Israeli sides say that scenario could unfold within days.
This article was written by Eamonn Sheridan at investinglive.com.