Iran declares RAF Fairford a 'legitimate target' after US bomber raid

Iran declares RAF Fairford a 'legitimate target' after US bomber raid

Iran has threatened to attack Britain after accusing the UK of allowing American bombers to launch strikes from RAF Fairford, warning the Gloucestershire airbase is now a "legitimate target."

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued the warning after a U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer reportedly flew from RAF Fairford to strike Iranian military targets, marking the first such mission from Britain since Prime Minister Andy Burnham took office.

Britain drawn deeper into the conflict

In a strongly worded statement, the IRGC accused Britain of becoming directly involved in the war by allowing U.S. forces to use British bases.

It declared that "any base used to invade Iranian territory is our legitimate target," placing RAF Fairford squarely in Tehran's sights.

The statement also warned the "British regime" not to become further involved in what it described as American aggression.

B-1 bombers launched from Britain

According to U.S. reports, the long-range B-1 bomber departed RAF Fairford on Tuesday to attack Revolutionary Guard military assets inside Iran.

The aircraft is capable of carrying up to 24 precision-guided 2,000lb bombs and has previously been used to strike missile bases, command centres, air defence systems and weapons depots.

Reports suggest Burnham approved the continued use of RAF Fairford and the Diego Garcia airbase for American operations following his arrival in Downing Street.

Tehran lashes out at Britain

The IRGC used its statement to accuse Britain of decades of interference across the Middle East, blaming London for helping shape the modern region and backing Israel.

It also claimed Britain had played a major role in supporting recent U.S. military operations against Iran.

The increasingly hostile rhetoric marks one of Tehran's most direct threats against British territory since fighting resumed.

Trump escalates pressure

The warning came as President Donald Trump announced a tougher retaliation policy against Iran.

Trump declared that every Iranian attack on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz would be met by U.S. strikes on Iranian bridges or power plants.

The United States has now carried out twelve consecutive nights of airstrikes, saying the campaign is designed to protect commercial shipping and weaken Iran's military capabilities.

Shipping crisis widens

The conflict is spreading beyond Iran.

Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen claimed responsibility for missile and drone attacks on Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, threatening a second global energy chokepoint alongside the Strait of Hormuz.

Several commercial tankers have already altered course, while oil prices have surged above $100 a barrel amid fears of prolonged disruption to global energy supplies.

Britain withdraws embassy staff

The Foreign Office has temporarily withdrawn its remaining diplomatic staff from Iran because of the deteriorating security situation.

Officials stressed that the British Embassy continues to operate remotely while continuing to advise against all travel to Iran.

Regional tensions continue to grow

Iran also claimed to have launched attacks against American military facilities in Kuwait and Jordan while boasting that Revolutionary Guard forces had prevented oil tankers from transiting the Strait of Hormuz without Tehran's permission.

Although many of Iran's battlefield claims have not been independently verified, the exchange of threats and expanding military operations underline how rapidly the conflict is drawing more countries into an increasingly dangerous regional confrontation.

SOURCE