Satellite images: Four US bombers at Diego Garcia base in the Indian Ocean

A satellite images showed four US bombers stationed Monday at the US-British military base of Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, as the confrontation between Israel and Iran intensifies.

These B-52H Stratofortress aircraft, capable of carrying nuclear warheads and heavy precision-guided bombs, were seen on June 16 at 9:22 GMT in the southern part of this strategic base located in the Chagos Islands.

These aircraft, capable of transporting approximately 32 tons of munitions, likely arrived at the base in mid-May, according to an analysis of Planet Labs satellite imagery.

The Diego Garcia base, which was expanded after the victory of the Islamic Revolution in Iran in 1979, played a vital role in the wars waged by the United States in Iraq (the first Gulf War in the early 1990s and the 2003 invasion) and Afghanistan in 2001.

The satellite images also showed a presence of a C-17 Globemaster III military transport aircraft at the base on Monday.

According to the US Air Force, this model can transport soldiers quickly, as well as all types of cargo to main operating bases or directly to forward bases in deployment areas.

Six other aircraft seen on the runway on June 16 were likely KC-135 Stratotanker refueling aircraft, which allow other warplanes to refuel during long missions, with six other similar aircraft were seen on May 2.

This comes amid speculation about the United States’ possible involvement in the unprecedented five-day confrontation between its ally Israel and Iran.

The US Department of Defense reported that the aircraft carrier USS. Nimitz, which had been sailing in the South China Sea, changed its course on Monday to the Middle East.

Washington also redirected approximately 30 refueling aircraft from the United States to military bases in Europe.