U.S. escalates military presence in the Indian Ocean after Iran threats

In March 2025, the United States placed six B-2 Spirit bombers on Diego Garcia, a strategic island in the Chagos Archipelago, in the Indian Ocean. This military action followed a period of heightened tensions between the U.S. and Iran, which were exacerbated by President Donald Trump's threats to take military action against Iran if negotiations over its nuclear program did not progress. Despite Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei asserting that the U.S. would face retaliation for such threats, the U.S. military framed the deployment as a deterrent aimed at ensuring security for American personnel and allies in the region. The U.S. had also been actively carrying out airstrikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen, who are seen as proxies for Iran, conducting about 200 airstrikes by late March. The situation had become so critical that U.S. officials disclosed plans to keep additional military assets in the area to counter any potential aggression from Iran or its allies. Notably, the B-2 bombers, which are capable of carrying massive bunker-buster bombs, are crucial for any offensive action against Iran's underground nuclear facilities, highlighting the serious nature of the military buildup in the region. These developments are indicative of a broader strategy by the U.S. to assert its military presence and readiness to react swiftly to threats emanating from Iran or its affiliates in the Middle East.