Chinese satellite imagery of the key U.S. base at Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, located a few thousand miles from Iran and China, shows that B-52 bombers have now left, according to open-intelligence source analysts.
Newsweek has reached out to the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command for comment.
Why It Matters
The departure of the bombers is an indication of a shift in U.S. expectations for military action.
Over the past few months, the U.S. had reinforced Diego Garcia with long-range strike assets, amid rising tensions with Iran. In June, the U.S. launched Operation Midnight Hammer, a major long-range stealth attack on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, with B‑2 Spirit stealth bombers — but they flew nonstop from Missouri rather than taking off from Diego Garcia.
The fragile situation in the Middle East means that U.S. forces could still be called into action at any time on numerous fronts.
MizarVision
What To Know
MizarVision, a Chinese satellite company, published a satellite image on its Weibo account that appeared to confirm the departure of the B-52 bombers from the U.S. base, also observed by other open-intelligence analysts on X.
High-definition satellite imagery shows that all B-52H aircraft deployed at Diego Garcia have been evacuated, while F-15 aircraft remain on the tarmac. Via Mizarvision #OSINT pic.twitter.com/glo4LE3qW3
— GEOINT (@lobsterlarryliu) July 22, 2025
“We have multi-layered defense systems on Diego Garcia that ensure the security and protection of our personnel and equipment,” Commander Matthew Comer, Indo-Pacific Command spokesperson, told Newsweek in May, commenting on MizarVision’s satellite image of the U.S. air force presence at the base.
The U.S. buildup at the base had included B‑2 bombers and B‑52 strategic bombers—later joined by six F‑15s and six KC‑135 tankers. However, Washington carried out a deception scheme with its Operation Midnight Hammer and the B-2 strikes were not launched from the base.
Diego Garcia, a remote atoll in the Indian Ocean, became one of the most important overseas U.S. military bases following a secret 1966 agreement between Washington and London, in which both countries jointly invested in establishing the base to support their shared defense interests.
Tensions over Iran’s nuclear program are far from subsiding and despite a U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Iran following the June military conflict. Iran is due to meet European countries for nuclear talks in coming days, but both the United States and Israel have not ruled out the possibility of further military action.
What People Are Saying
Commander Matthew Comer, Indo-Pacific Command spokesperson, told Newsweek in May: “We have multi-layered defense systems on Diego Garcia that ensure the security and protection of our personnel and equipment.”
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth wrote on X in May: “Diego Garcia is a vital military base for the US.”
Iranian President Masud Pezeshkian told Al-Jazeera Arabic on Tuesday: “We do not rely on the current ceasefire, and we are not optimistic about it.”
What Happens Next
Iran and so-called E3 European countries will hold talks in coming days. If positive, these could pave the way for the resumption of nuclear negotiations with the U.S.
