B-52s fly over Arabian Sea as signal to the Kremlin

US long-range B-52 bombers have started flying reconnaissance missions over the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea in a pointed reminder to the Soviet Union to keep clear of the region's vital oil tanker sea lanes. According to the Pentagon the heavy bombers were "exercising with elements of the US carrier task forces" in the Arabian Sea, performing sea surveillance. The aircraft are not carrying nuclear weapons, but officials have left open the possibility that they may be carrying conventional bombs.