US moves aircraft from second UK base over ‘threat from Iran’

The United States military has moved aircraft from a second ⁠airbase in the United Kingdom “in the wake of a threat from Iran”, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the matter. Two US refuelling tankers and several other tankers that were using the RAF Mildenhall military base in eastern England diverted to Germany and other locations on Monday, the WSJ reported on Tuesday.

The US upgraded the security posture at RAF Mildenhall and RAF Lakenheath to Force Protection Condition (FPCON) Charlie, the WSJ report said, quoting a US official familiar with ‌the matter. FPCON Charlie is the second-highest defensive threat level in the US Department of Defense’s security system and occurs when intelligence indicates that a form of “terrorist” action is likely.

“We do not routinely comment on the activity of other nations,” a UK Ministry of Defence spokesperson said in a statement.