US deploys stealth bombers to the Chagos Islands in a warning to the Houthis and Iran

Another four jets are believed to be on their way, according to unconfirmed Open Source Intelligence reports. The island puts Iran and Yemen in range of US planes.

Iranian-backed Houthi militia in Yemen have been attacking Israel and terrorising dozens of merchant vessels in the Red Sea.

The group possesses a range of drones, anti-ship cruise missiles and ballistic missiles either provided by Iran or developed themselves.

The presence and proximity of the bombers will send a strong message to Iran amid tensions over its support for the Houthis.

The sustained Houthi attacks have disrupted shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, both critical to global trade.

Donald Trump's cabinet claims that only America has the capability to ensure that the shipping lanes remain open.

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In leaked texts, US national security adviser Mike Waltz said: "European navies do not have the capabilities to defend against the types of sophisticated, anti-ship, cruise missiles, and drones the Houthis are now using."

Dubbed the "ghosts of the sky", the B-2 bombers are capable of slipping past the most advanced air defences and deliver deadly payloads with surgical precision.

Each aircraft can hold 18 tonnes worth of conventional or nuclear bombs.

The aircraft were previously used in operations targeting hardened underground facilities housing missiles in Houthi-controlled Yemen in October.

A military source told The Telegraph that the B-2 stealth jets had been deployed to help protect international shipping lanes but were unlikely to be involved in carrying out bombing raids.

Cabinet members reportedly said the president had asked officials to "determine the cost" of attacks so they could "levy" remunerations from European allies in return for carrying out strikes.

Trump ordered a campaign against the group of "sinister mobsters and thugs" which has seen dozens killed. Some analysts suggest the build-up could be a precursor to a strike on Iran itself.

"The fact that they're sending stealth bombers would suggest that they're intending to operate them against somebody who has their defences right, like Iran," said Bryan Clark, senior fellow at the Hudson Institute.

"This is a deliberate kind of move to signal something to Iran, or is because of some anticipated or potential operation against Iran," he added.

Trump has warned of "severe consequences" for Iran if it does not comply with his request for a new nuclear agreement, including military action.

Iran continues to weigh how to respond to a letter from Trump trying to jump-start negotiations over Tehran's nuclear program.

US intelligence agencies believe Iran has not begun a weapons programme but has "undertaken activities that better position it to produce a nuclear device".

Diego Garcia is in the Chagos Islands, an Indian Ocean territory owned by Britain, which Sir Keir Starmer intends to hand over to Mauritius. The future of the military base is a key point of contention in the deal.

Under Starmer's proposal, Diego Garcia would be leased back to the UK at a reported annual cost of £90million, allowing continued US military operations.

The base provides access to vital trade routes across Africa and Asia.

An Air Force global strike command spokeswoman said: "B-2 Spirit bombers have arrived at Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia."

“US Strategic Command, its components, and subordinate units routinely conduct global operations in coordination with other combatant commands, services, and participating US government agencies to deter, detect and, if necessary, defeat strategic attacks against the United States and its allies."

The spokeswoman added they do not discuss operational details for security reasons.