US moves stealth bombers as it considers military action against Iran - reports

The US military has sent American B-2 stealth bombers to the US island territory of Guam in the Pacific Ocean, US media report.

The large jets are considered to be the only aircraft capable of carrying weapons that can strike Iran's most secure nuclear facility, which is buried deep underground below a mountain.

US officials have not commented on whether the deployment is linked to the conflict in the Middle East. The deployment has not been independently confirmed by the BBC.

On Friday, Trump said he would give Iran a maximum of two weeks to make a deal to limit its nuclear programme in order to prevent US strikes.

The planes are reportedly being sent to Guam from the US state of Missouri. While the deployment is not being officially connected to discussions around the US joining Israel's war on Iran, few will doubt the link.

The huge planes, which have wingspans of more than 50 metres, are the only aircraft capable of carrying the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator, a 30,000lb (13,608kg) bunker-busting bomb that experts say is required to destroy Iran's deep nuclear facility at Fordo.

The facility is thought to be buried around 100m below the surface, protected by reinforced concrete. Despite their overwhelming aerial superiority, Israel lacks the munitions to damage the facility, hence requiring US support.

Around 9,500km (5,900m) to the east of Fordo, Guam is maybe not the most obvious base from which to launch any attack.

There had also been speculation that the UK facility, Diego Garcia, which is twice as close to Iran than Guam, might be used as a staging post.

That would have caused a potential political and diplomatic headache for the British government, as they would have to give their blessing to any US attack, which might in turn make UK bases a target for Iranian retaliation.

It is unclear why Guam was reportedly chosen as a destination for the bombers. US officials told the BBC's US partner, CBS News, that it is thought that the Guam base would provide better operational secrecy than Diego Garcia.

Last week, at least 30 US military planes were moved from the US to Europe, according to flight tracking data reviewed by the BBC.

The planes in question are all US military tanker aircraft used to re-fuel fighter jets and bombers. According to Flightradar24, at least seven of these - all KC-135s - stopped off in US airbases in Spain, Scotland and England.

The jet movements come amid reports that the US has also moved an aircraft carrier - the USS Nimitz - from the South China Sea towards the Middle East. The Nimitz carries a contingent of fighter jets and is escorted by several guided missile destroyers.

The US has also moved F-16, F-22 and F-35 fighter jets to bases in the Middle East, three defence officials told Reuters on Tuesday. The tanker planes moved to Europe over the past several days can be used to re-fuel these jets.

With additional reporting by BBC Verify