US military aircraft pulled from second UK base after ‘Iran threat’

The United States has evacuated refueling aircraft from an RAF base in Britain following an alleged threat from Iran. At least 10 U.S. planes departed RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk on Monday and landed at other American bases in Europe and at Prestwick Airport in Scotland. This operation was initially reported by the Wall Street Journal and later confirmed by two UK officials with knowledge of the situation.

The Ministry of Defence spokesperson noted that they do not typically comment on the movements of other nations' assets, as the planes and other equipment were relocated due to operational needs. This incident follows a similar evacuation from RAF Fairford earlier, where three suspicious vans were spotted near the base, leading to eight arrests.

Two British citizens were subsequently charged in October over an alleged Iran-linked plot. Conservative Party Leader Kemi Badenoch expressed concern over the latest withdrawal, stating that the government had no comment on the matter. Education Secretary Lucy Powell emphasized the importance of base security and the actions taken with allies to ensure safety.

Intelligence chief Ken McCallum indicated last month that threats from foreign adversaries against the UK had quadrupled in the past decade, including heightened Iran-backed aggression against Jewish sites and military installations.