JERUSALEM/BEIRUT, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- The United States deployed more military assets to Israel's main airport and evacuated its diplomats from Lebanon on Monday, signaling a potential escalation with Iran just days before the two sides are set to resume nuclear talks.
U.S. aerial refueling tankers and C-17 Globemaster heavy transport aircraft have landed at Israel's Ben Gurion Airport over the past 24 hours as part of a U.S. military buildup in the region, Israel's public broadcaster Kan reported on Monday.
Photos showed the aircraft stationed at the airport outside Tel Aviv, Israel's main international gateway.
The deployment is part of broader U.S. preparations for a potential strike against Iran, the broadcaster said.
The deployment comes amid rising tensions between Washington and Tehran, with the U.S. strengthening its regional presence by sending additional fighter jets, aircraft carriers, and support assets.
U.S. officials have said that all options remain on the table should diplomacy fail to resolve disputes over Iran's nuclear and missile programs, while Iran has warned it would retaliate against U.S. and Israeli targets if attacked.
In a related development, the U.S. Embassy in Lebanon evacuated dozens of its staff members through Beirut's airport on Monday, Lebanese media reported.
The Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International (LBCI) described the move as a preventive measure in anticipation of potential regional escalation.
The recent developments follow two rounds of indirect nuclear talks between the United States and Iran this month, with the first in Muscat on Feb. 6 and the second in Geneva on Feb. 17. Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi said on Sunday that the next round of U.S.-Iran talks will take place on Thursday in Geneva. ■
