U.S. Central Command announced that B-52 bombers had “successfully completed a presence patrol in the Middle East… marking the second such mission of 2021”. CENTCOM Commander Kenneth McKenzie maintained that “short-term deployments of strategic assets are an important part of our defensive posture in the region”, adding: “The training opportunity and continued integration with regional partners improves readiness and delivers a clear and consistent message in the operational environment to both friends and potential adversaries”. Iran’s military chief of staff described the mission as lacking “considerable operational value”, and Foreign Minister Javad Zarif asserted: “While we have not started a war in over 200 years, we don’t shy from crushing aggressors”.