Latest war news. Axios: ‘The US has resumed use of the B-1 superbomber’

The US military has used a B-1 long-range bomber to strike targets belonging to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in Iran, according to US officials. This is reported by Axios. It is the “first mission carried out by the US using a B-1 since fighting with Iran resumed 12 days ago. The use of B-1 bombers – capable of carrying around twenty 900 kg bombs or dozens of cruise missiles – the article continues – signalled a significant escalation and expansion of the US military campaign. The B-1 can fly at supersonic speeds at low altitude, carrying a heavier payload than any other type of bomber. The B-1 launched its mission from an airbase in the UK and was spotted on flight-tracking websites.” Axios notes that CentCom “did not mention the B-1 mission in its statement”. It is unclear what the B-1 struck and whether the massive mission was more effective than other attacks in recent days.

The United States has carried out another series of strikes against Iran for the twelfth consecutive night. This is according to Central Command (Centcom), which added that “US forces have struck Iranian military targets, including naval assets, missile and drone storage facilities, coastal surveillance sites and air defence systems”. According to Centcom, “the strikes further reduce Iran’s ability to attack civilian seafarers and commercial vessels”.

“This month, US forces have targeted dozens of Iranian military sites on the mainland, whilst resuming the naval blockade against Iran. To date, Centcom has diverted nine commercial vessels and rendered one inoperable to prevent ships from entering or leaving Iranian ports.” This was reported by the US Central Command on its X profile. “Over 50,000 members of the US armed forces are deployed across the Middle East,” it states, “and remain highly vigilant, focused, lethal and ready for action.”

The Iranian Revolutionary Guards claim that three oil tankers attempting to pass through the mined route south of the Strait of Hormuz were stopped. “Following an explosion and a major fire on one of them, the other two quickly turned round and headed back,” according to Iranian media reports.

According to two sources familiar with the matter, the new director of Mossad, the Israeli intelligence agency, Roman Gofman, visited Washington two weeks ago for talks on the war in Iran and Iran’s nuclear programme. This is reported by Axios. Gofman is one of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s closest aides. It was his first visit to Washington since taking up the post in June, shortly before tensions in the Strait of Hormuz escalated and fighting resumed. One of the aims of Gofman’s visit was to coordinate with the White House on negotiations with Iran for a nuclear deal, an Israeli source said. Sources reported that Gofman met with CIA Director John Ratcliffe and White House officials. Within Trump’s inner circle, Ratcliffe was one of the most sceptical voices regarding the memorandum of understanding with Iran. Prior to the signing of the memorandum of understanding, he had warned that Iran would interpret the agreement differently from the United States, including the provisions relating to the Strait. The CIA and Mossad declined to comment.