The United States Air Force used B-1 “Lancer” strategic bombers to attack targets in Iran during the first days of the war, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed on Monday. Further, in a press conference on Wednesday, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth indicated the aircraft could see expanded use for the remainder of the war.
In a post on X/Twitter on Monday, OSINT account DefenseGeek reported that three B-1 bombers had participated in attacks against Iran. Accompanied by a total of nine KC-46 Pegasus tankers, the bombers reportedly flew from the Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota and back without stopping.
Hours later, CENTCOM verified the claim in another X post, stating that B-1 bombers “struck deep inside Iran to degrade Iranian ballistic missile capabilities.” Additionally, the post included a video showing the bombers taking off at night, but did not mention from where they took off. Similarly, in the joint press conference with Gen. Dan Caine on Wednesday, Hegseth warned that B-1 bombers, along with other aircraft, could see expanded use as the war continues. “B-2s, B-52s, B-1s, Predator drones, [and fighter jets] controlling the skies and selecting targets” could become the new normal for Iran, he said. (Read More)
