U.S. moves aircraft from RAF Mildenhall amid reported Iranian threat
U.S. forces relocated refueling tankers from the RAF Mildenhall base to Germany after a security concern linked to Iran, while officials declined to detail the specific threat.
The United States transferred two refueling tankers that had been operating from RAF Mildenhall in eastern England to Germany on Monday, according to a report citing sources familiar with the matter. Additional tankers at the base were later moved to other locations, the Wall Street Journal said.
The move follows a prior withdrawal of bombers from RAF Fairford after an incident involving individuals in white vans, which prosecutors alleged were attempting to assist Iranian intelligence. The precise nature of the latest security concern at Mildenhall has not been disclosed.
When asked about the aircraft movements, a spokesperson for U.S. European Command said the Air Force routinely relocates aircraft for various reasons but would not comment on specific force-protection measures. "For operational security reasons, we are unable to discuss specific force protection measures," the spokesperson said.
The relocation comes as President Donald Trump described the conflict with Iran as "effectively over" from a military standpoint and indicated that U.S. forces remain ready to respond if needed. Trump also said diplomatic communications with Tehran were proceeding politely.
In related developments, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth dismissed recent impeachment proposals as a "farce" that would fail, while a European Commission spokesperson emphasized that commitments made in an EU-U.S. joint statement on pharmaceutical trade should be respected.
The aircraft movements occurred amid ongoing three-way talks in Abu Dhabi involving the United States, Russia and Ukraine, aimed at securing a durable cease-fire and addressing post-war security arrangements.