Sources in the UK tell AFP that as Trump's 12 noon deadline Saturday for hostages to be released in Gaza approaches, B-52s are landing in the UK at RAF Fairford, at possible staging bases.

The venerable B-52 is a favorite of president's to show force globally. The aircraft are nuclear and conventional capable, and have a robust standoff weapons delivery capability.

It is obvious the aircraft wanted to be seen and The White House is sending a message to the mullahs in Tehran, as he did via King Abdullah recently during a meeting in Washington.

Trump impressed on the Jordanian leader 'the seriousness of the situation'.

“Right now, Iran is keeping its head down. But, you know, you could imagine a… joint U.S.-Israeli strike on Iran,” said Mark Cancian, a senior adviser with the Center of Strategic and International Studies, reported the New York Post.