US Evacuates Aircraft From UK Base Amid Iran Threat

The United States has relocated its aircraft from the RAF Mildenhall air base in Britain due to threats of attack by Iran, according to the Wall Street Journal, citing sources familiar with the matter. While the specific threat against the base is still under discussion among senior American officials, two refueling planes that were scheduled to land at Mildenhall were rerouted to Germany. Several other tankers had already been diverted to Germany and other locations earlier.

The U.S. Air Force declined to comment on the report but stated that "U.S. aircraft rotate between bases and operational areas for a variety of reasons." This move follows a similar incident last month when the U.S. withdrew all its B-1 bombers from RAF Fairford, also in the UK, after thwarting a terror plot suspected to have Iranian ties. The Wall Street Journal reported at the time that the withdrawal was due to "security concerns" regarding the base.

Separately, the New York Times reported that the bombers were urgently removed following new threats about an "Iran-backed plot" against the facility. During that incident, five young London residents were arrested near the air base on suspicion of planning a terror attack. Explosives were initially reported to be found in their commercial vehicles, which bomb disposal experts examined. Photos showed the detainees, shirtless and handcuffed, being searched by British security forces.

Iran denied any involvement in the alleged attack attempt. British police later released the five suspects on bail, but by late October, prosecutors filed charges against two of them under the National Security Act. Mohamed Abdul-Karim, 24, was charged with engaging in activity that could materially assist a foreign intelligence service, and Noaman Al-Saegh, also 24, was charged with entering a prohibited place with intent to harm British interests.