Several U.S. Air Force B-2 bombers appeared to be airborne and heading west from the United States across the Pacific as President Donald Trump was scheduled to return to the White House late Saturday afternoon from New Jersey while deliberating whether to join Israel's efforts to destroy Iran's nuclear sites.
The New York Times reported that air traffic control communications indicated that several B-2 jets —the planes that could be equipped to carry the 30,000-pound bunker-buster bombs Trump is considering deploying against Iran's underground nuclear facility at Fordo—had taken off from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri.
However, the outlet notes that"the movement of aircraft does not mean a final decision has been made on whether to attack."
"It's not unusual to move military assets to positions that provide options for the president and military commanders, even if they're not ultimately deployed," he added.
NBC News added that the B2 bombers took off from Whiteman Air Force Base overnight and are headed to Guam, according to two defense officials.
Trump is returning from his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, and is expected to meet with his National Security team at 6 p.m. Saturday (4 p.m.) and again on Sunday.
Trump usually spends both weekends out of town at one of his properties.
A White House spokeswoman declined to comment, the outlet said.
Two weeks, key time for US decision on Iran
The White House said this week that President Trump will make a decision within the next two weeks on whether to launch an offensive whose official goal would be to prevent the Islamic Republic from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
On Friday, Trump said Iran has a"maximum" of two weeks to avoid potential U.S. airstrikes. Information from news agencies.
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