US Sending Dozens More Refueling Planes to Israel as Trump Considers Expanded Iran Strikes on Power Plants and Nuclear Sites

Analysis
Washington's tanker surge, restoring wartime-peak refueling levels at Ben Gurion and Ramon, signals provisioning for strikes further inland than the coastal and bridge targets hit over five nights near Bandar Abbas, making strikes on Iranian power infrastructure or an additional nuclear-related site likely by July 31. Moderate confidence reflects convergent indicators: the Situation Room's review of power-plant and Pickaxe Mountain options, the tanker buildup, and Netanyahu's public warning of overwhelming retaliation, though no reporting describes an approved target list and the decision remains pending. Sourcing rests on a single Axios exclusive citing three U.S. and Israeli officials, with Israeli outlets republishing rather than independently corroborating. The buildup may instead function as coercive signaling to push Tehran toward reopening the Strait and accepting nuclear terms without a wider strike ever being ordered. A power-plant or nuclear-site strike would force Gulf governments and energy markets to price in broader Iranian retaliation and strait disruption.