Satellite Images Show U.S. Military Aircraft at Diego Garcia as Trump Raises Possible

Trump said he would give Iran 15 days to reach an agreement (Getty)

Recent satellite images published on Feb. 17 by the Chinese satellite account “Mizar Vision” on Weibo show the presence of U.S. military assets at the base on Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean.

The images show six aircraft positioned on the runway at the military base, including two C-130 Hercules transport planes, three KC-135 Stratotanker aerial refueling aircraft and one P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft.

Six military aircraft were spotted at Diego Garcia Air Base, according to recent satellite images published by the Chinese satellite imagery account "MisrVision" on Weibo on February 17. — Six military aircraft were spotted at Diego Garcia Air Base, according to recent satellite images published by the Chinese satellite imagery account "MisrVision" on Weibo on February 17

In addition, a C-32B Gatekeeper aircraft was observed parked at the base’s airport.

The satellite detected another C-32B Gatekeeper aircraft parked at the base's airport.

The apparent reinforcement of the U.S. presence at Diego Garcia coincides with remarks made by former U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the potential use of the base in the context of tensions with Iran.

Trump said that “if Iran decides not to reach an agreement, it may be necessary for the United States to use Diego Garcia to eliminate a potential attack from a very dangerous regime.”

Trump's statement regarding the possibility of using Diego Garcia base to launch an attack against Iran

U.S.-Iran Negotiations

The developments come as the second round of indirect negotiations between Iran and the United States concluded in Geneva without clear progress.

Iran’s foreign minister said the parties agreed on a set of “guiding principles,” while U.S. officials said progress had been made but significant gaps remain.

News reports cited a U.S. official as saying Iran agreed to prepare a written proposal addressing U.S. concerns raised during the indirect nuclear talks in Geneva.

On Thursday, Trump said he believes a period of 10 to 15 days is “sufficient time” for Iran to reach an agreement.

Sources told CNN that the U.S. military is prepared to carry out a strike on Iran as early as the end of this week, although Trump has not made a final decision on whether to authorize such operations.

According to Axios, the Trump administration appears closer to a major war in the Middle East than most Americans realize, and it could begin very soon.

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