fighter jets are taking off from Israel to launch attacks on Iran,” adding that Iranian authorities were fully aware of the arrangement. The country’s network of modern air bases, extensive hardened aircraft shelters, integrated air defence network and well-developed logistics infrastructure make it one of the most capable forward operating locations available to the U.S. military in the Middle East. Unlike many Gulf facilities, Israeli bases also benefit from decades of close operational integration with American forces. The use of Israeli bases would also simplify coordination between U.S. and Israeli air operations. U.S. Navy AEGIS destroyers have provided further support for missile defence efforts.