Two American bombers flew over the Persian Gulf.

U.S. bombers carried out a round-up mission, 30 hours from Air Force Base to North Dakota.

The United States continues to place combat ready equipment in the US Central Command's area of responsibility to prevent any potential opponents and to make it clear that we are willing and able to respond to any aggression directed at Americans or our interests”, said General Kenneth McKenzie, chief of the US Central Command.

“We do not seek conflict, but no one should underestimate our ability to protect our forces or to act decisively in response to any attack”, he said.

The US Air Force has carried out two similar missions in the last 45 days.

The mission reflects growing concern in Washington that Iran could order further military retaliation for the US assassination of the top Iranian military commander, General Qasem Solejmani, in neighbouring Iraq in January 2020.

Several days after the air strike that killed Soleiman, Iran launched a ballistic missile attack on a military base hosting international troops in Iraq, causing material and mental damage to some 100 American troops.

Concerns have also increased following a missile attack last week at the US Embassy complex in Baghdad by Iranian-backed Shiite militia groups.

No one was killed in the attack, but US President Donald Trump sent a warning to Tehran.

Some friendly health advice for Iran: If an American gets killed, I'll consider Iran responsible. Think it over”, Trump wrote on Twitter on December 23rd.

The United States has reduced staff numbers at the US Embassy in Baghdad.