Fears of Iran strike on US soil? 'Doomsday' plane spotted over California
India Today
The sighting comes at a time when the FBI reportedly warned police departments that Iran could attempt a retaliatory drone attack targeting the US West Coast. The conflict in the Middle East has intensified following US and Israeli strikes on Iran and retaliatory assaults from Tehran.
As the confrontation with Iran in Gulf region escalated, one of America’s most significant military aircraft, the Doomsday plane, has reappeared over California. The aircraft was seen flying low and performing manoeuvres over the city of Fresno.
The unusual sighting comes as FBI warn that Iran could attempt to strike the American West Coast with drones launched from an offshore vessel. The conflict in the Middle East has intensified following US and Israeli strikes on Iran and retaliatory assaults from Tehran.
"We recently acquired information that as of early February 2026, Iran allegedly aspired to conduct a surprise attack using unmanned aerial vehicles from an unidentified vessel off the coast of the United States Homeland, specifically against unspecified targets in California," the alert said as per ABC News.
The aircraft spotted near Fresno over the weekend was identified as a Boeing E-6B Mercury, a specialised military plane designed to serve as a command centre in the event of a nuclear conflict or major national emergency.
Officials confirmed that the aircraft spent roughly two hours at Fresno Yosemite International Airport performing landing approaches and "touch-and-go" exercises. Such operations involve landing briefly and taking off again, allowing pilots to practise manoeuvres without stopping fully at the airport.
"It is common for aircraft to conduct touch-and-go operations at Fresno Yosemite International Airport," airport spokesperson Vikkie Calderon said as quoted by local media. She also said that the airport’s location, runway length and navigation systems make it suitable for a wide range of training exercises.
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