USAF F-22 Fighters Arrive in Middle East to Counter Iranian Threats Against Israel and U.S. Forces

The U.S. Air Force has deployed F-22 Raptor fighter jets to the Middle East as part of an effort to counter threats posed by Iran and its affiliated groups in the region, particularly against Israel and American forces, according to an announcement by U.S. Central Command on August 8.

This move follows Iran’s vow to retaliate for the January 30 assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh, who was killed by a bomb in Tehran. Iran has blamed Israel for the attack, though Israel has not officially acknowledged its involvement. Iran’s anticipated retaliation could include direct strikes from its own territory as well as attacks by proxy forces, such as the Iranian-backed Lebanese Hezbollah, which operates near the Israeli border. Additionally, U.S. forces stationed in Iraq and Syria have recently faced rocket attacks from militias aligned with Iran.

The arrival of the F-22s, among the most advanced fighter aircraft in the U.S. arsenal, is part of a broader influx of military assets to the region. This includes U.S. naval ships with capabilities to intercept ballistic missiles, and plans to potentially enhance land-based missile defenses in the area.

About a dozen F-22s arrived at a base in the Middle East from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska, covering over 5,600 nautical miles with stops in the U.K. before reaching their destination on August 8. The precise location of these aircraft remains undisclosed due to operational security concerns.

The deployment aims to deter any potential attacks from Iran and its proxies, both on Israel and U.S. military personnel in the region. The increased military presence comes after a recent rocket attack on Al Asad Air Base in Iraq on August 5, which injured four U.S. service members and one contractor. The Pentagon attributes this attack to an Iranian-aligned Shia militia group.

Since the escalation of conflict in October, when Hamas launched an attack on Israel, there have been 180 attacks on U.S. forces in Iraq, Syria, and Jordan. The U.S. has responded with airstrikes, including a recent operation targeting a drone facility in Iraq on July 30.

The F-22s join a significant U.S. Air Force presence already in the region, including F-15Es, F-16s, and A-10s. The U.S. Navy has also temporarily repositioned F/A-18 Super Hornets from the USS Theodore Roosevelt to a regional airbase, further bolstering the defense posture. This relocation is temporary, with the aircraft expected to return to the carrier before it departs the region, to be replaced by the USS Abraham Lincoln.

The F-22 deployment enhances the U.S.'s ability to defend against air and missile threats, building on past successes, such as the April operation where U.S. Air Force fighters played a key role in intercepting over 80 drones launched by Iran against Israel. This robust response neutralized approximately 300 missiles and drones in a coordinated defense effort, underscoring the critical role of U.S. airpower in maintaining regional security.