Amid the growing tension with Iran after the killing of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani by U.S.-led airstrike, U.S. Air Force is deploying its six B-52 bombers to Diego Garcia, a British-controlled island in the Indian Ocean.

Citing an unidentified Pentagon source, CNN said, The six B-52 bombers are being sent to Diego Garcia because the island is out of range of Iranian missiles.

After the Iraqi Shia Militia, Kataib Hezbollah hinted about the retaliatory attacks to avenge Qassem Soleimani’s death, it is the latest move from U.S. military officials to strengthen the resources near the Middle East.

These B-52 bombers were spotted leaving from Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana to Diego Garcia, located 2.300 miles south of Iran’s southernmost tip.

JAN 06: USAF B-52Hs MYTEE51 & 52 departed Barksdale AFB for Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean due to #Iran tensions. pic.twitter.com/2PgkMMnAXw — Aircraft Spots (@AircraftSpots) January 7, 2020

B-52 bombers consist of eight engines and are designed to carry a large cache of weapons which includes cruise missiles, laser-guided bombs, and nuclear gravity bombs.

Esper and Milley have said, as the tensions have ramped up the U.S. had to intention of withdrawing the troops from the Middle East.