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US supplies Israel with four long-range refuellers, which 'could be used in Iran strikes'

Israeli media reported that the refuellers could be used in strikes against Israel.
2 min read
02 September, 2022
The US State Department agreed the deal on Thursday [Getty]

The USÌýagreed on Thursday to supply Israel with long-range refuellers which could be used in , according to reports.

The nearly $1 billion deal, financed through , will see Israel obtain fourÌýBoeing KC-46As, widely viewed as the most advanced refuellers in the world.

Israel will replace its current fleet of between 2025 and 2026 and comes amid continued tensions with regional rival Iran.

"The Boeing Company is proud to be a long-term partner in building the strength of the State of Israel and strengthening the military capabilities of the IDF (Israel’s army)," James Burgess, Boeing vice president and manager of the Boeing KC-46 refuelling aircraft programme, said according to i24 News.

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AÌý$972 million agreement for the Boeings was signed by the US State Department on Thursday, which will be financed via US aid funds, the Israeli broadcaster reported.

The aircraft could be used by Israel in long-range strikes against Iran, experts say, and comes amidÌýÌýbetween the US and Iran over Tehran's nuclear programme.

Israel has strongly opposed a revival of the Iran nuclear deal whichÌýformer President Donald Trump announced the US would withdraw fromÌýin 2018.

Talks on resuscitatingÌýthe deal have been deadlocked in recent months, which if passed could provide Iran with sanctions relief in exchange for curbs on its nuclear programme.

Israel, which has its own undeclaredÌý,Ìýhas repeatedly claimed that Tehran wants to build nukes andÌýthreatened militaryÌýstrikes on Iran's facilities.

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