Update: Satellite Photo Shows U.S. Forces at Key Indian Ocean Base
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
New satellite imagery showed an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer stationed just north of Diego Garcia, the remote Indian Ocean island where the U.S. operates a key military base.
Newsweek has reached out to the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) for comment.
Why It Matters
With a fragile situation in the Middle East, the U.S. is strengtening its military posture in key command areas, deploying warplanes and ships to reinforce deterrence and be preapred for any attack.
The constant reinforcements underscore the base's strategic role in responding to major threats from Iran, Houthi forces in Yemen, and broader regional instability.
This image captured by the European Space Agency's Sentinel-2 satellites on July 6 shows a U.S. Arleigh Burke-class destroyer positioned near the Diego Garcia base in the Indian Ocean.
This image captured by the European Space Agency's Sentinel-2 satellites on July 6 shows a U.S. Arleigh Burke-class destroyer positioned near the Diego Garcia base in the Indian Ocean.
Copernicus/Sentinel Hub
What To Know
New satellite imagery also revealed four B-52 bombers, six KC-135 tankers, and six F-15 fighters, backed by an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer patrolling outside the atoll at the Diego Garcia base, according to open-intelligence analyst MT Anderson on X, formerly Twitter.
This image captured by the European Space Agency's Sentinel-2 satellites on July 6 shows military aircrafts at the Diego Garcia base in the Indian Ocean.
This image captured by the European Space Agency's Sentinel-2 satellites on July 6 shows military aircrafts at the Diego Garcia base in the Indian Ocean.
Copernicus/Sentinel Hub
Guided-missile destroyers are multi-mission warships equipped with advanced radar, long-range missiles, naval guns, and anti-submarine systems, designed to carry out both offensive and defensive missions—either independently or as part of a carrier strike group.
This image captured by the European Space Agency's Sentinel-2 satellites on July 6 shows a U.S. Arleigh Burke-class destroyer positioned near the Diego Garcia base in the Indian Ocean.
This image captured by the European Space Agency's Sentinel-2 satellites on July 6 shows a U.S. Arleigh Burke-class destroyer positioned near the Diego Garcia base in the Indian Ocean.
Copernicus/Sentinel Hub
The U.S. gains a major military advantage in the Indo-Pacific from Diego Garcia's location, about 2,200 miles from Iran and 3,000 from southern China. The base gives both the U.S. and Britain access to key capabilities — some secret — like an airfield, deep-water port, global GPS support, space tracking, and tools for monitoring nuclear activity.
In the Middle East, aircraft carriers USS Nimitz and USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) are operating in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, where the Yemeni Houthis continue to pose threats to maritime navigation.
The Iranian-backed rebels, undeterred by heavy U.S. airstrikes earlier this year, have attacked a commercial vessel in the Red Sea for the first time since December, raising the prospect of renewed military conflict.
The Houthis say they are acting in solidarity with Gaza as Israel wages war on Hamas there.
What People Are Saying
U.S. President Donald Trump, quoted by The Hill: "I will tell you that in my view, I hope it's over. I think Iran wants to meet. I think they want to make peace and I'm all for it. Now, if that's not the case, we are ready, willing, and able."
Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi, Iran's Army Chief of Staff, as quoted by IRNA: "In the event of any evil act from the enemies, our response will be more crushing than before."
What Happens Next
The fragility of the situation in the Middle East means that U.S. forces could be called into action at any time on numerous fronts.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
14 minutes ago
- Newsweek
NATO Ally's Jet Fighter Rivals US F-35 Sales
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Turkey's KAAN fighter aircraft could soon rival the U.S.-made F‑35 stealth jet in arms sales to the Global South by positioning itself as a more accessible alternative. The Turkish offering is generating interest from emerging economies. In late July, Turkey inked its first export deal with Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim country, for 48 planes, the governments said. The Turkish Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to a written request for comment. Why It Matters Turkey's first domestically developed fifth‑generation stealth fighter was part of a major pivot toward self-reliance in defense technology. Having previously armed itself with Western military tech, Turkey is now gaining ground in a field long dominated by the United States, the Soviet Union and later Russia, European powers and China. Its arms industry has gained a following after the early success of the Bayraktar TB2 drone, used by Ukraine against Russia. People look at a Turkish fighter jet on display at Turkey's 17th International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF) In Istanbul on July 25, 2025 in Istanbul, Turkey. Turkish and foreign companies showcased defense technology and weaponry... People look at a Turkish fighter jet on display at Turkey's 17th International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF) In Istanbul on July 25, 2025 in Istanbul, Turkey. Turkish and foreign companies showcased defense technology and weaponry at the fair running from July 22-27. MoreWhat To Know The KAAN fighter, developed by state-owned Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) is intended to replace Turkey's aging fleet of F-16s and is being positioned as a low-cost alternative for its neighbors, too. The aircraft is expected to be more affordable than the U.S. F‑35, made by Lockheed Martin, according to TAI's leadership. Turkey's 2019 exclusion from the F-35 program over its purchase of S-400 missile systems from Russia marked Ankara's shift toward strategic autonomy under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Before the split, Turkish firms had built over 900 F-35 parts, gaining key experience in stealth and aerospace tech. Increasing interest has emerged since the KAAN's first test flight in 2024, with reports pointing to Egypt becoming the next participant in the jet program, although no official statements have been made by Cairo or Ankara. Turkey's deal to supply Indonesia was first revealed by Erdogan in June. The agreement with Jakarta, which has a history of using NATO equipment in its armed forces, "showcases the progress and achievements of our domestic and national defense industry," Erdogan said. America's Gulf partners have also shown an interest in the KAAN, with Washington still reluctant to transfer advanced systems to the region in order to preserve Israel's military edge. The U.S. and Turkey, meanwhile, remain at odds over Gaza, in addition to existing Israel-Turkey tensions over Syria. Erdogan still wants F-35 jets for the Turkish air force, however, and recently announced progress in talks with U.S. President Donald Trump, raising concerns in Israel. What People Are Saying Rear Admiral (retired) Mark Montgomery, senior director of the Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, wrote in an analysis on July 2: "Turkey should not get access to U.S. F-35 sales until it destroys or returns the S-400 air defense missile system it foolishly purchased from Russia, and also, not until it publicly renounces and completely ceases support for Hamas—a vicious terrorist organization that targets and kills Americans. Turkey may be a member of NATO, but it has not treated the United States with respect for decades." President Prabowo Subianto of Indonesia said in April "Indonesia wants to participate in the development of the 'KAAN' fifth-generation fighter jet and submarine development with the Turkish industry." Can Kasapoglu, a senior nonresident fellow at the Hudson Institute, wrote in a report for the Atlantic Council on June 24, 2024: "Another natural target for Turkey's multirole combat solution would be militaries that want to replace their Soviet era-remnant arsenals with a defense ecosystem that is in line with NATO standards, such as the non-NATO former Soviet space, which has traditionally been Russia's markets. In this regard, Azerbaijan and Ukraine loom large as two particularly interesting potential operator nations as KAAN's export market slowly takes shape in the coming years. What Happens Next Turkey aims to begin operational deployment of the KAAN fighter by 2028.
Newsweek
14 minutes ago
- Newsweek
New Jersey's Former Republican Governor Blasts 'Extreme' GOP Candidate
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Former two-term New Jersey Republican Governor Christine Todd Whitman has endorsed Democratic Representative Mikie Sherrill in the state's upcoming gubernatorial election, calling her Republican opponent Jack Ciattarelli too "extreme" for the position. Newsweek reached out to Whitman and the Sherrill and Ciattarelli campaigns via email for comment. Why It Matters The New Jersey gubernatorial race could be a bellwether for how Democrats navigate Donald Trump's presidency and galvanize local voters ahead of pivotal elections that lead into the 2026 midterms. Trump lost to former Vice President Kamala Harris in New Jersey by about 6 percentage points in the 2024 election. Numerous polls in recent months have all favored Sherrill, who has represented New Jersey's 11th congressional district since 2019, by margins ranging from 5 to 20 percentage points. Ciattarelli, the former New Jersey state representative who is running for governor for the third time, has waffled on embracing Trump, with pundits saying he has moved much closer towards the president since his first gubernatorial foray in 2017. What To Know Whitman, who served as President George W. Bush's administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), said she endorsed Sherrill due to her appeal towards moderates, while Ciattarelli is too aligned with Trump. "Jack Ciattarelli has changed so much from the person that I knew before," Whitman told CBS News New York. "He would never be this all-in on Trump, and he has said there's nothing with which he would disagree with what the president has done. "We're not a state of people who hate each other. We're built on diversity that I had as a motto when I was governor, 'Many faces, one family.' We should celebrate that and clearly the president does not." Former New Jersey Governor Christine Todd Whitman visits SiriusXM Studios on June 18, 2019, in New York City. Former New Jersey Governor Christine Todd Whitman visits SiriusXM Studios on June 18, 2019, in New York co-founder and co-chair of the States United Democracy Center, also touted Sherrill's ability to get legislation passed by working with lawmakers across the aisle when necessary, adding that it's "what we need" in Washington and elsewhere. "You gotta be tough in New Jersey, and she's tough," Whitman said. "She's not an extreme and that's what I like about her. She has never taken those extreme stands." Trump and the Affordability Questions Matthew Hale, associate professor of political science at Seton Hall University, told Newsweek that most likely, New Jersey voters are "at the beach" and not currently entranced by this gubernatorial race. But he expects enthusiasm to increase, culminating in "a really close race" in what he describes as a politically centrist state. "Mikie Sherrill tends to poll very well," Hale said. "She's got a really sort of resume that people like. But I do think this is going to be a really close race coming down the stretch." He said the two biggest factors that likely loom over the contest are Trump and issues relating to economics/affordability. "I think this is a referendum on Donald Trump and he's not very popular in New Jersey," Hale said. "I think that's going to be a big factor. But the other factor is certainly things like affordability, particularly in terms of property taxes and housing. We've seen that nationally, but I think that's always a big issue in New Jersey, and it will certainly be one in this election. "We're seeing rising energy costs and those quality of life issues, those affordability issues and those specifically New Jersey issues. I think those are going to be important. On one hand, nationalizing the race is good for Mikie Sherrill and localizing their race is good for Jack Ciattarelli. So, that's gonna be the tension." A poll of 1,108 probable New Jersey voters conducted in July by StimSight Research shows Sherrill leading Ciattarelli by 6 percentage points, 48-42 percent, in terms of respondents who would "definitely" or "probably" vote for either candidate. Another poll conducted by Kellyanne Conway for the pro-Ciattarelli Change NJ super PAC and published by the New Jersey Globe showed Sherrill ahead of Ciattarelli by 5 percentage points—47 percent to 42 percent, with 11 percent of voters undecided. A separate Rutgers-Eagleton poll released in early July found Sherrill leading Ciattarelli by 20 points—51 percent to 31 percent, with 13 percent undecided. What People Are Saying Ashley Koning, an assistant research professor and director of the Eagleton Center for Public Interest Polling at Rutgers University-New Brunswick, previously told Newsweek: "'Affordability' is definitely the buzzword of this election within New Jersey and I'd like to think that New Jersey has a unique brand of of politics that still has many issues at the state level that are unique to the Garden State. I think affordability is an umbrella term [for] many of these issues that New Jerseyans have perennially been concerned about, first and foremost, taxes and property taxes. "We have the highest property taxes in the country, and New Jerseyans have been telling us in our 50-plus years of polling that that's typically their No. 1 problem. In our most recent poll, taxes were followed by cost of living and affordability." Representative Mikie Sherrill on X on August 1: "@Jack4NJ just doesn't get it — he's 100% supporting Trump's tariffs as they raise prices for NJ families and destroy thousands of jobs in the Garden State. And then he has the nerve to say that New Jerseyans don't understand the implications?" Former Representative Jack Ciattarelli on X on August 3: "No more sanctuary cities. No more politics tying your hands. I'll have your back—protecting your pensions, restoring COLA, fixing broken systems, and making sure you can do your job without fear or interference." What Happens Next The New Jersey gubernatorial election will be held on November 4. Both campaigns are expected to intensify voter outreach and messaging on key economic issues as Election Day approaches. A significant undecided voter bloc and the influence of national politics will continue to drive developments in the final months of the campaign.
Newsweek
43 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Texas AG Ken Paxton Ramps Up 'Aggressive' Legal Pressure on Democrats
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said the ongoing refusal by Texas House Democrats who broke quorum and left the state to block a vote on redrawing the state's congressional map amounts to abandonment of office. The Republican said he will seek a court ruling to have their seats declared vacant if they don't return by the end of the week. Republican House Speaker Dustin Burrows has given the absent lawmakers until Friday, Aug. 8, to return to Texas and appear before the House. Those who fail to return by the deadline — and are not arrested and brought back beforehand — will face "aggressive" legal action from Paxton's office. 🚨BREAKING: I will seek judicial orders declaring that runaway Democrats who fail to appear by the Speaker's deadline have vacated their office. The people of Texas elected lawmakers, not jet-setting runaways looking for headlines. If you don't show up to work, you get fired. — Attorney General Ken Paxton (@KenPaxtonTX) August 5, 2025 Paxton wrote on X, "BREAKING: I will seek judicial orders declaring that runaway Democrats who fail to appear by the Speaker's deadline have vacated their office. The people of Texas elected lawmakers, not jet-setting runaways looking for headlines. If you don't show up to work, you get fired." This is a breaking news story. Updates to follow.
