The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has issued a stern warning to the British Royal Family and threatened military installations in the UK following an alleged attack by US bombers, purportedly launched from RAF Fairford.
It remains unclear whether the B1 bomber departed directly from the Gloucestershire base for its mission against Iran or made a stopover at a US base in Europe or elsewhere before the operation, a practice observed in the past.
While RAF Fairford is officially an RAF base, it predominantly serves as a European forward base for the US Air Force (USAF), housing heavy bombers on standby for missions in regions like the Middle East.
Despite the UK allowing the US to utilize British bases for bomber operations, Iran has expanded its list of potential targets to include the UK, including threats against the Royal Family, citing retaliation for the UK’s cooperation with the US.
In a recent development, the IRGC has warned the “British regime” of potential attacks if it continues to back America’s military actions against Tehran. The IRGC emphasized that any base used for invasions into Iranian territory is considered a legitimate target, issuing a specific caution to the British monarchy.
The involvement of RAF Fairford in the conflict with Iran has sparked controversy, leading to peaceful anti-war protests at the base in opposition to US bombing activities.
The recent deployment of a B1 bomber from RAF Fairford marked the first such mission by the US since hostilities with Iran resumed almost two weeks ago, coinciding with an uptick in US military presence in the Middle East, including the dispatch of more Special Forces and additional fighter jet squadrons.
Although the precise target of the B1 strike in Iran remains undisclosed, reports suggest that the aircraft was used against IRGC assets, with B-52 bombers also purportedly targeting IRGC bases in recent attacks.
The IRGC condemned the US military’s aggressive actions, particularly noting the shift from cruise missile usage to B1 aircraft from Fairford Air Base in England, emphasizing that any base utilized for invading Iranian territory is a legitimate target.
Amid escalating violence in the Middle East following the breakdown of the ceasefire between Iran and the US, the IRGC issued a warning to the British monarchy, vowing to prevent America from resuming attacks after deceptive ceasefires. Concurrently, the Houthis, aligned with Iran, targeted Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, causing oil prices to spike, with oil exceeding $100 per barrel for the first time since May.
The Bab al Mandeb strait, where the Houthis announced a blockade, serves as a critical passage for oil tankers and cargo vessels navigating the Red Sea, impacting global maritime trade.
Efforts to obtain comments from the Ministry of Defence and Buckingham Palace regarding the escalating tensions have been initiated by The Mirror.