‘Doomsday plane’ seen in Washington: What does this indicate amid Israel-Iran conflict?

As US President Donald Trump weighs the option of launching a strike on Iran amid its ongoing tensions with Israel, one of America’s ‘Doomsday planes’ was seen flying to Joint Base Andrews in Washington, DC, on Tuesday night.

The flight has led to renewed questions about whether Washington is getting ready for a possible full-scale conflict.

Read Israel Iran conflict live updates  here.

Notably, Trump has repeatedly raised the idea of the US joining Israel in targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities. In response, Iran’s supreme leader has issued a fresh warning, saying the US would face strong retaliation if it carries out any attack.

The situation puts Trump and the world in a difficult position, as he tries to balance his aim of keeping the US out of another war while also stopping Iran from developing a nuclear weapon.

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But what exactly is the ‘Doomsday plane’? How dangerous is its deployment? And does this mean the US is preparing for war?

Let’s get you all the answers:

Boeing E-4B Nightwatch: All about the ‘doomsday plane’

Also known as the ‘Doomsday plane’, the E-4B Nightwatch caught attention after it made a sudden flight from Louisiana to Maryland on Tuesday.

This aircraft acts as an airborne command centre for the President, Defence Secretary, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff, helping them maintain secure communications and coordination during crises.

It took off from Bossier City at 5:56 pm ET, flew along the coastline, circled near the Virginia-North Carolina border, and landed at Joint Base Andrews at 10:01 pm.

The flight lasted just over four hours and led to speculation online, particularly because it used the callsign ORDER01, different from its usual code ORDER6.

Each E-4B can carry up to 112 personnel and has a flight range of over 7,000 miles.

Its value to the US Air Force lies in its unique features, which are unmatched by any other American military aircraft.

Built to resist nuclear explosions, cyber threats, and electromagnetic interference, the plane is equipped to launch counterattacks if needed.

According to the New York Post, it has shielding to withstand thermal and nuclear impacts and can maintain communication with any part of the world using 67 satellite receivers and antennas inside its dome.

The aircraft is designed to fly for up to a week without landing and is capable of refuelling mid-air.

The longest known continuous flight by an E-4B is 35.4 hours.

Its interior includes 18 beds, a room for briefings, areas for coordination and discussions, a command space, and rest zones, spread across three levels, turning it into a “Flying Pentagon” during emergencies.

The E-4B has been used during major incidents. Former US President George Bush flew in a similar aircraft after the 9/11 attacks, and in 1995, Fema (Federal Emergency Management Agency) officials travelled on one during Hurricane Opal.

The plane’s appearance is often seen as a signal of a serious event involving the US.

Although the fleet of four E-4Bs regularly takes to the skies to stay prepared, some believe this particular mission may relate to growing security concerns for the President amid rising fears of a prolonged war in West Asia.

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Is US preparing for a war in West Asia?

The aircraft’s recent flight took place around the same time as Donald Trump called for Iran’s ‘unconditional surrender’ and promised complete backing for Israel’s military moves.

In response, Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei , dismissed the US demands and issued a warning that American military action would bring “irreparable damage to them.”

“Americans should know that any military involvement by the US will undoubtedly result in irreparable damage to them,” he said.

Khamenei made the statement a day after Donald Trump posted on social media, asking Iran to surrender without any conditions. He also warned Khamenei that the US was aware of his location, adding that there were no plans to kill him, “at least not for now.”

Although Trump earlier kept some distance from Israel’s surprise strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites, he has recently suggested the US may play a bigger role, saying he is aiming for more than just a ceasefire. Notably, more American fighter jets and warships have also been deployed to the region.

A US official told Associated Press that Washington currently has no role in the talks, though that might change.

Israel vs Iran: What’s happening?

On Thursday, Israel’s armed forces said they launched another round of airstrikes on Tehran and other locations in Iran, but gave no further details.

The offensive has targeted several Iranian nuclear and defence sites, killing high-ranking generals and nuclear scientists. A US-based Iranian rights organisation reported that at least 639 people, including 263 civilians, have died in Iran, with over 1,300 injured.

In return, Iran has launched about 400 missiles and many drones, killing at least 24 people in Israel and injuring hundreds. Some of the strikes hit residential buildings in central Israel, causing massive destruction.

Internet access across Iran, already unstable for several days, completely failed on Wednesday. NetBlocks, a group that monitors online connectivity, confirmed a “near-total national internet blackout.”

Iran’s Communications Ministry said the blackout was intentional, claiming it was needed to stop Israel from using the country’s networks for military purposes.

With inputs from agencies