US pulls aircraft from second UK airbase 'over Iran threat'

The United States has removed aircraft from a second British airbase following a threat from Iran. This comes weeks after the US withdrew its bombers from RAF Fairford over a suspected Iran-linked security incident. Two refueling tankers at RAF Mildenhall were diverted to Germany on Monday, with several others moved later in the day.

The exact nature of the threat to RAF Mildenhall remains under discussion among US officials. The security status at RAF Mildenhall and RAF Lakenheath was upgraded to FPCON Charlie, the second-highest defensive threat level. While the British Ministry of Defence and a US Air Force representative declined to provide details, they stated that aircraft and assets move regularly for operational reasons.

The incident at RAF Fairford, which involved the arrest of five men in September, has drawn international attention amid heightened concerns about the security implications of the Iran conflict.