A group of U.S. Air Force cargo planes, including at least five C-17 Globemaster III aircraft, were spotted flying toward Saudi Arabia after leaving a NATO-linked base in Germany, according to a Daily Mail report that cited flight tracking data.
The move comes as tensions rise between the United States and Iran, with a temporary ceasefire set to expire on Wednesday.
The aircraft’s movements are being closely watched as they come at a sensitive moment in the conflict.
President Donald Trump has warned that the bombing could resume if nuclear talks with Iran fail to reach an agreement before a ceasefire deadline.
At the same time, he expressed his belief that the negotiations could still lead to what he called a “great deal”.
Truce under pressure
The ceasefire was declared on April 7 and is set to expire on the evening of April 22 (US time). It was supposed to suspend weeks of fighting and allow for diplomatic negotiations.
However, uncertainty has increased because:
-Iran has not confirmed participation in the upcoming talks in Islamabad
-A planned diplomatic trip with US Vice President JD Vance was postponed
-Both sides continue to exchange strong warnings
What the US and Iran are saying
Trump told reporters that military action remains an option if diplomacy fails, suggesting that escalation is still on the table.
He also previously said that US forces are ready and prepared if no deal is reached.
Meanwhile, Iran has not confirmed whether it will attend the talks, and Pakistan – acting as a mediator – has said it is still trying to secure Iran’s participation.
Vance trip to wait amid uncertainty
Senior White House officials were expected to meet alongside Vice President JD Vance to assess the situation and decide on next steps.
Vance was previously expected to travel to Pakistan for the talks, but those plans were put on hold as uncertainty grew over Iran’s involvement.
Pakistan’s role
Pakistan is trying to facilitate talks between Washington and Tehran.
Its officials say they are pushing for an extension of the truce to allow more time for diplomacy, but Iran has not yet given a clear answer.
Key points of contention
Talks reportedly stalled over US demands related to Iran’s nuclear program and broader regional security issues, including control of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil shipping route.
Trump had previously threatened military action linked to tensions in the strait before agreeing to a temporary ceasefire.
