U.S. Sends 2 Nuclear Capable B-52 Bombers Over Middle East In Show Of Force

US flies two nuclear-capable B-52 bombers over the Middle East in show of force as tensions with Iran reach fever pitch following latest talks collapse

RACHAEL BUNYAN FOR MAILONLINE and ASSOCIATED PRESS

• The two bombers took off from Royal Air Force base at Fairford, UK, and flew over eastern Mediterranean, the Arabian Peninsula and the Red Sea on Sunday
• They took part in training missions with Kuwaiti and Saudi warplanes
• Top US air force officer in Middle East said mission showcases military's strength

The United States military flew a pair of nuclear-capable B-52 long-distance bombers over the Middle East in a show of force as tensions in the region remain high between Washington and Tehran.

The bombers took off from the Royal Air Force base at Fairford in England and flew over the eastern Mediterranean, the Arabian Peninsula and the Red Sea on Sunday in training missions together with Kuwaiti and Saudi warplanes, before departing the region.

Lt Gen Alexus Grynkewich, the top US air force officer in the Middle East, said in a statement: 'Threats to the US and our partners will not go unanswered.

'Missions like this... showcase our ability to combine forces to deter and, if necessary, defeat our adversaries.'

It comes as US and Iranian negotiators have been attempting to revive the 2015 nuclear deal. But the tensions between the countries have reached a fever pitch after Washington said that Iran's latest negotiating position was 'not constructive'.

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