Of the ten Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft of the US Air Force stationed in Bucharest, five took off on Tuesday evening for a new aerial refueling mission in the Middle East.
Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker
According to data analyzed by aviation and air transport news platform BoardingPass, which reported the information, the most recent missions lasted about ten hours, longer than previous flights, which lasted around six to seven hours.
Much of the time spent in the air is taken up by flying between Bucharest and the Eastern Mediterranean and/or the Middle East, as well as returning to Romania.
KC-135 aircraft are used for mid-air refueling of other military aircraft, which allows expanding the range of air operations, writes Mediafax.
Trump's ultimatum
The five aircraft took off on the day Donald Trump's ultimatum to Iran expires, at a time of high tension in the Middle East.
The moves come on the day Donald Trump's ultimatum to Iran expires amid the Middle East conflict.
Trump: Iran “will live in hell”
According to the information published exclusively by Mediafax, the activity at Base 90 Otopeni intensified in this context, with several military aircraft being involved in support missions.
The US leader has given Tehran a deadline to accept a deal that would ease tensions and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global oil shipping.
Washington has warned that, in the absence of an agreement, the reaction could be harsh, and the risk of a military escalation remains high.
Donald Trump said on social media on Sunday that Iran will “live in hell” if it does not comply with the demand. He later posted another message, with no explanation: “Tuesday 8:00 PM ET!” (Wednesday, Romanian time 03.00 no)”.
