#Middle East
82 articles
-72b63a4e0c8c475ad81fe3eed3f63729.jpeg "Photo of Cyril Barabaltchouk")
![Israeli air defense intercepts a ballistic missile over central Israel during an Iranian missile attack, February 28, 2026. (Source: Getty Images)]( "Israeli air defense intercepts a ballistic missile over central Israel during an Iranian missile attack, February 28, 2026. (Source: Getty Images)")
![Facilities of QatarEnergy are seen in the Mesaieed Industrial Area south of Doha, Qatar on March 5, 2026. (Source: Getty Images)]( "Facilities of QatarEnergy are seen in the Mesaieed Industrial Area south of Doha, Qatar on March 5, 2026. (Source: Getty Images)")
![Illustrative image. This long-exposure photograph shows rocket trails in the sky above the Israeli coastal city of Netanya amid a fresh Iranian missile barrage early on March 18, 2026. (Source: Getty Images)]( "Illustrative image. This long-exposure photograph shows rocket trails in the sky above the Israeli coastal city of Netanya amid a fresh Iranian missile barrage early on March 18, 2026. (Source: Getty Images)")
![Marine One with US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden lands at Fort Lesley J. McNair in Washington, DC, on November 10, 2024. (Source: Getty Images)]( "Marine One with US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden lands at Fort Lesley J. McNair in Washington, DC, on November 10, 2024. (Source: Getty Images)")
![GBU-72/B Advanced 5K Penetrator. (Source: Wikimedia)]( "GBU-72/B Advanced 5K Penetrator. (Source: Wikimedia)")
![Illustrative image. Loadout of the US fighter jets used in Operation Epic Fury. (Source: UNITED24 Media/Oleksandr Manukians)]( "Illustrative image. Loadout of the US fighter jets used in Operation Epic Fury. (Source: UNITED24 Media/Oleksandr Manukians)")
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![Photo of Vlad Litnarovych]( "Photo of Vlad Litnarovych")
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What US fighter jets actually carry into combat over Iran looks very different from textbook loadouts—and increasingly mirrors the real-world configurations Ukraine is using in its own war.
82 articles
