US moves aircraft from RAF Mildenhall over Iran threat

The US military has evacuated aircraft from a second airbase in Britain after a threat from Iran, the Wall Street Journal reports, citing sources.

Two US refueling tankers that were using the RAF Mildenhall military base diverted to Germany earlier on Monday (Washington time), while several other tankers at the base were moved to Germany and other locations later in the day, the Journal’s report said. The report cites flight-tracking data and officials.

According to the Journal, the precise nature of the threat to RAF Mildenhall remains under discussion among US officials.

A US Air Force spokesperson declined to provide the Journal with details about the movement of assets, but said US aircraft rotated between installations and operating locations for various reasons. A British Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: “We do not routinely comment on the activity of other nations. Aircraft and other assets move regularly according to operational requirements.”

The move comes weeks after the US Air Force removed its bombers stationed at RAF Fairford in England following an investigation into an alleged planned terror attack at the base, which was used in operations against Iran. Five men were arrested outside RAF Fairford airbase in south-west England in September over a security incident. Two others were arrested later on suspicion of assisting Iranian intelligence.

UK officials say proxies linked to Iran have been behind a string of arson and other attacks in Britain and other countries, many of them targeting the Jewish community and intended to sow fear. They have previously warned that Tehran could expand its targets in the UK if conflicts in the Middle East continue.

Earlier, US President Donald Trump said Iran was “talking very politely” with US negotiators, and there was a “good chance” a resolution can be reached to end the conflict between the two countries, adding that the war is “effectively over.”

Sources

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.