U.S. withdraws fuel tanker aircraft from Israel's Ben Gurion Airport amid Iran tensions

The United States has begun pulling its fuel‑tanker aircraft that were stationed at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv. Israeli Transport Minister Miri Regev urged the removal, arguing that the tankers were hindering civilian flight operations during the busy summer travel season.

The decision follows heightened regional tension after a U.S. strike on Iran, which had previously prompted the aircraft to be sent back to Europe and then redeployed to the Middle East. Ben Gurion Airport is expected to handle more than 2.6 million passengers in August, one of its busiest periods since October 2023, and officials aim to ensure normal commercial flights resume without disruption.