Satellite imagery appears to show the United States has deployed nuclear-capable bombers at an air base in Qatar as part of an enhanced military presence in the Middle East to deter Iran.
Hans Kristensen, who is the director of the Nuclear Information Project at the Federation of American Scientists, posted the photo of Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, dated Tuesday, from California-based global imaging company Planet Labs on X (formerly Twitter).
It shows six B-52H Stratofortress bombers parked in an open area within the base, and at least five of them were identified by Kristensen as capable of carrying nuclear weapons, not that they are equipped them on this deployment.
Newsweek could not independently verify the satellite imagery.
The increased U.S. military presence came as tensions between Israel and Iran remain high, after both sides conducted retaliatory strikes on each other last month. Tehran said that it will equip itself