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US Bolsters Military Options for Trump with Refueling Aircraft, Officials Say

An Israeli F-15 fighter jet is refuels in the air above Netanya on June 15, 2025. (AFP)
An Israeli F-15 fighter jet is refuels in the air above Netanya on June 15, 2025. (AFP)
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US Bolsters Military Options for Trump with Refueling Aircraft, Officials Say

An Israeli F-15 fighter jet is refuels in the air above Netanya on June 15, 2025. (AFP)
An Israeli F-15 fighter jet is refuels in the air above Netanya on June 15, 2025. (AFP)

The US military has moved a large number of refueling aircraft to Europe to provide options to President Donald Trump as Middle East tensions soar, two US officials told Reuters on Monday, speaking on condition of anonymity.

AirNav systems, a flight tracking website, said that on Sunday evening more than 31 US Air Force refueling aircraft -- primarily KC-135s and KC-45s -- left the United States, heading east.

The officials declined to comment on the number of aircraft but said the US aircraft carrier Nimitz was heading to the Middle East, in what one of them said was a pre-planned deployment. The Nimitz can hold 5,000 personnel and more than 60 aircraft, including fighter jets.

Taken together, the deployments suggest the United States is greatly strengthening its air power for potentially sustained operations as Iran and Israel trade blows, in unprecedented open warfare that is seeing civilian casualties mount on both sides.

"The sudden eastward deployment of over two dozen US Air Force tankers is not business as usual. It’s a clear signal of strategic readiness," said Eric Schouten at Dyami Security Intelligence.

"Whether it’s about supporting Israel, preparing for long-range operations, logistics is key, this move shows the US is positioning itself for rapid escalation if tensions with Iran spill over."

The United States has been cautious so far, helping Israel knock down incoming missiles. But Trump vetoed an Israeli plan in recent days to kill Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, two US officials told Reuters on Sunday.

One of them said the United States did not support going after Iran's political leadership as long as Americans weren't being targeted.

A third US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, declined to comment on the tanker movement but stressed that US military activities in the region were defensive in nature.

The Pentagon referred Reuters to the White House, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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World

China Sanctions Philippine Defense Chief for 'Irresponsible Remarks'

Philippines' Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr speaks at the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Singapore, May 31, 2026. REUTERS/Caroline Chia
Philippines' Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr speaks at the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Singapore, May 31, 2026. REUTERS/Caroline Chia
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China Sanctions Philippine Defense Chief for 'Irresponsible Remarks'

Philippines' Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr speaks at the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Singapore, May 31, 2026. REUTERS/Caroline Chia
Philippines' Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr speaks at the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Singapore, May 31, 2026. REUTERS/Caroline Chia

China announced on Thursday sanctions against the Philippines' defence minister over "irresponsible remarks", escalating tensions between Beijing and Manila as they grapple with maritime disputes.

Gilberto Teodoro and his spouse and child will be banned from entering China's mainland, Hong Kong and Macau, an unnamed foreign ministry spokesperson said in an online statement.

It added that "organizations and individuals in China" will not be allowed to "engage in any transaction, cooperation or other activities with him and his spouse and child".

Teodoro's rhetoric "undermines China's legitimate interests and sabotages China-Philippines relations", the statement said, without specifying which remarks it was referring to.

The two countries have in recent years often dealt with flare-ups in ongoing confrontations in the disputed South China Sea.

Beijing claims the strategic waterway nearly in its entirety, despite an international ruling that said its assertions are baseless.

China regularly deploys navy and coast guard vessels to bar the Philippines from important reefs and islands in the area.

At a summit in Singapore last month, Teodoro criticised Beijing's activities in the disputed waters, saying Manila "will not sacrifice our territorial integrity and sovereignty".

Asked last week about Teodoro's remarks at the summit, Beijing's foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said that he "is known to vilify China".

"All he cares is selfish personal gains to the point that he would perform political theatrics even when people's well-being is at stake," Mao said.

World

UK Defense Minister John Healey Announces Shock Resignation

FILE PHOTO: Britain's Defense Secretary John Healey walks outside 10 Downing Street, on the day of a cabinet meeting, in London, Britain, June 2, 2026. REUTERS/Toby Melville/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Britain's Defense Secretary John Healey walks outside 10 Downing Street, on the day of a cabinet meeting, in London, Britain, June 2, 2026. REUTERS/Toby Melville/File Photo
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UK Defense Minister John Healey Announces Shock Resignation

FILE PHOTO: Britain's Defense Secretary John Healey walks outside 10 Downing Street, on the day of a cabinet meeting, in London, Britain, June 2, 2026. REUTERS/Toby Melville/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Britain's Defense Secretary John Healey walks outside 10 Downing Street, on the day of a cabinet meeting, in London, Britain, June 2, 2026. REUTERS/Toby Melville/File Photo

British Defense Secretary John Healey resigned on Thursday, in a shock move which he blamed on Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the finance ministry failing to commit sufficient resources to defense investment.

His announcement is a fresh blow to Starmer and comes at a politically charged moment for the embattled Labor leader, a week before a by-election which could prompt a bid to topple and replace him.

Healey's sudden departure comes after months of delays to a long-awaited Defense Investment Plan (DIP) for funding over the next decade, which he has said would fall far short of what had been requested.

Starmer has pledged to raise defense spending to 2.5 percent of gross domestic product from next year, increasing to three percent in the next parliament.

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly urged NATO countries to spend more and become less reliant on Washington for security.

"You have been unable, and the Treasury has been unwilling, to commit the resources that the nation needs to defend the country at this time of rising threats," Healey wrote in a resignation letter to Starmer posted on his X account.

"After explaining to you that I would not be able to accept a DIP settlement that does not give our Forces the resources they need, I am now left with no other option than to submit my resignation."

Starmer is facing political peril in next Thursday's contest when Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham is standing for the Makerfield parliamentary seat and has said that he would participate in any Labour leadership race, although none has yet been triggered.

Healey has been previously talked about as another potential contender, but there has been no suggestion his resignation is linked to the leadership speculation.

British media has for weeks been reporting on behind-the-scenes battles within the government over the DIP settlement.

Starmer's centre-left government, elected in July 2024 following 14 years of Conservative rule, has kickstarted its pledge to ramp up defense spending, with priority given to NATO commitments.

But the publication of its defense investment plan to plug a longer-term shortfall in investment was first expected back in late 2025 and has been pushed back -- to the frustration of industry and others.

It was expected to be announced next week, according to reports earlier Thursday.

In his letter, Healey said he was first given full sight of the DIP on Monday, revealing that it "falls well short of what is required for defense and the country at this dangerous time".

"Without a DIP that meets the moment in this way, I am being forced to make decisions that would reduce the readiness of our forces and increase the risk to personnel on operations, and could make the country less safe."

World

Iran Maritime Body Says Hormuz Completely Closed 'Until Further Notice'

Vessels are anchored in the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, June 10, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer
Vessels are anchored in the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, June 10, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer
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Iran Maritime Body Says Hormuz Completely Closed 'Until Further Notice'

Vessels are anchored in the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, June 10, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer
Vessels are anchored in the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, June 10, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer

Iran's new body overseeing the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday confirmed a complete closure order for the strategic waterway until further notice, after the Revolutionary Guards announced the move overnight.

"Due to the tensions caused by the aggression of the American forces in the region and the announcement made last night by the Iranian armed forces, the Strait of Hormuz will be closed until further notice," PGSA said in a post on X .

"Applicants who have been granted a transit permit are asked to be patient and wait for instructions from the PGSA."