Dozens of US military aircraft have been withdrawn from the tarmac of one of the largest military bases in the United States in the Middle East, satellite images attest, apparently to protect against possible Iranian strikes, as Washington weighs whether to get involved in the war between Israel and Iran.

Between June 5 and June 19, the U.S. al Udayd base in Qatar was almost completely emptied of discreet aircraft, according to satellite photos by Planet Labs PBC in the possession of the French News Agency.

Nearly forty military aircraft were parked at positions near the base’s airstrip on June 5: large transport aircraft capable of carrying material, reconnaissance, or special operations aircraft of the Hercules C-130 type. But in a photo taken yesterday, Thursday, June 19, only three transports could be seen.

In addition, the US, “as a precautionary measure and in light of hostilities in the region”, advised (its) “personnel to exercise extreme vigilance” and “temporarily restricted” access to the facilities in Al Udayd, according to a press release dated yesterday and posted on the website of its embassy in Qatar.

The moves come as U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to decide, within two weeks, according to the White House, on his country’s possible involvement in the war alongside Israel against Iran, which could lead to Iranian retaliatory strikes against several U.S. bases in the region.

Because of its “proximity to Iran” – less than 300 kilometers – the al Uday base, its aircraft, military and facilities are in an “extremely vulnerable” position, Mark Schwartz, a retired U.S. general who served in the Middle East, now an expert at the Rand Corporation think tank, pointed out to the French Agency.

Even if it does not take a direct hit, “shrapnel from missiles could mean they would not be able to carry out missions,” he added. For this reason, “the risks to U.S. forces must be reduced,” he explained.

Aircraft moved since early June may now be sheltered in reinforced hangars or at other bases in the region. Asked about this by AFP, the US military has made no comment so far.

The moves are registered as part of a redeployment of elements of the US armed forces in the region following Israel’s June 13 attack on Iran.

Another aircraft carrier is underway to the Middle East region, while several air assets have also been moved to the region.

The Agence France-Presse analyzed ADS-B (publicly available and open source) data filtered to trace flights of US aerial refueling aircraft -KC-46A Pegasus, KC-135 Stratotanker – that passed through European airspace at least once between June 15 and June 18. They can carry up to 96 tons of fuel.

At least 25 examples of these types flew from the US to Europe during this period and were still in Europe on the evening of June 18. More specifically, 27 such flights were made, of which two returned.