"Raptors Over Israel": Unprecedented Deployment of U.S. F-22 Stealth Jets as Tensions with Iran Reach Boiling Point

The United States has deployed a squadron of F-22 Raptors to an Israeli Air Force base, a move described by the Wall Street Journal as a significant escalation ahead of potential strikes on Iran. This deployment, completed between Tuesday and Wednesday (Feb 25, 2026), marks the first time such a large contingent of America's premier air-superiority fighters has been stationed on Israeli soil for operational duties.

With 12 to 18 F-22s now in the region, the Pentagon has established its most formidable air presence since the 2003 Iraq invasion. These fifth-generation jets are designed to dismantle sophisticated radar and air defense networks, providing a "stealth umbrella" for potential strikes on Iranian nuclear and missile sites. The timing is strategic, serving as both a deterrent and a fallback option as nuclear talks resume in Geneva this Thursday.