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US aircraft evacuated from second British base due to Iran threat, WSJ reports
Reuters • • general
Key Points:
- The US military evacuated refueling tankers from RAF Mildenhall in the UK to Germany due to a security threat linked to Iran, following a similar evacuation of bombers from RAF Fairford earlier in September.
- The security posture at RAF Mildenhall and RAF Lakenheath was raised to Force Protection Condition (FPCON) Charlie, indicating a likely terrorist threat based on intelligence assessments.
- The exact nature of the threat to RAF Mildenhall remains undisclosed, with US officials citing operational security and declining to comment on specific force protection measures.
- The September incident at RAF Fairford involved men allegedly attempting to assist Iranian intelligence, leading to charges against two individuals, and heightened concerns amid tensions between the US and Iran.
- UK officials emphasized the seriousness with which base security is treated, while Iran denied involvement in the threats, although its Revolutionary Guards have labeled Western bases used against Iran as legitimate targets.
