The US military has begun evacuating KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft from Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar and repositioning them to Israel, a move that tells you everything you need to know about how seriously Washington is taking the current threat environment in the Middle East.
Bitcoin responded by sliding toward $63K, while oil climbed toward $80 per barrel.
What’s happening on the ground
Starting in mid-July 2026, flight tracking data and satellite imagery confirmed dozens of KC-135 Stratotankers departing Al Udeid, the sprawling air base that serves as the nerve center for US Central Command operations across the region. More than 60 US aerial refueling aircraft have been reported in Israel so far, with at least 33 confirmed stationed at Ben Gurion Airport. More arrivals were expected on July 18-19.
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard has made claims regarding strikes on Al Udeid. Al Udeid previously faced Iranian threats including ballistic missile strikes noted in reports from 2025.
