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Trump Reviews New Iran Strike Options, Adds Dozens Refuelers

7/18/2026

27 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

Trump Reviews Strikes

President Donald Trump reviewed new strike options in a Situation Room meeting on Tuesday as the United States (U.S.) plans to add dozens of aerial refueling aircraft for expanded attacks on Iran.
Proposals include strikes on Iranian power plants, infrastructure and the underground Pickaxe Mountain nuclear site.
The U.S. has about 30 refueling aircraft at Ben Gurion and a number at Ramon, seeking several dozen more to restore conflict levels.

Summary

Regev Proposes Limit

Transportation Minister Miri Regev proposes limiting Ben Gurion’s tanker fleet to 20 aircraft to prevent canceling over 50,000 summer tickets.
The Defense Ministry and IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir reject the 20-aircraft limit, calling the tankers essential.
KC-46A and KC-135 tankers now fill Ben Gurion’s gates, forcing airlines to reroute flights during the peak vacation period.

Summary

U.S. Leak Pressures

Oil prices rose after Axios reported a planned U.S. tanker surge.
The report suggests the premature leak was intended to pressure Tehran back to negotiations.
The administration told Israel it will send dozens of extra refueling aircraft while President Donald Trump has not approved a strike order.
The disclosure is characterized as a deliberate leak.
The disclosure arrives amid intensified diplomatic talks over Iran’s nuclear program.

History

Historical Context

In January 1991, President George H.W. Bush began Operation Desert Storm, and the U.S.-led coalition flew over 100,000 sorties supported by roughly 200 KC-135/KC-10 tankers. Today, President Donald Trump’s team asks Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport to host dozens of KC-46A and KC-135 tankers for a possible strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities, recalling the same massive aerial-refueling effort.

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Trump Reviews Strikes

President Donald Trump reviewed new strike options in a Situation Room meeting on Tuesday as the United States (U.S.) plans to add dozens of aerial refueling aircraft for expanded attacks on Iran.
Proposals include strikes on Iranian power plants, infrastructure and the underground Pickaxe Mountain nuclear site.
The U.S. has about 30 refueling aircraft at Ben Gurion and a number at Ramon, seeking several dozen more to restore conflict levels.

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