The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has issued a stern warning to the British Royal Family and expressed threats towards military installations in the UK following a recent attack by US bombers allegedly launched from RAF Fairford.
The specific details of whether the B1 bomber took off directly from the Gloucestershire base for its mission against Iran or made a stop at a US base in Europe or elsewhere remain unclear.
While RAF Fairford is primarily an RAF base, it predominantly serves as a European forward base for the US Air Force (USAF), housing heavy bombers on standby for operations in regions like the Middle East.
Despite the UK’s authorization for the USAF to conduct ‘defensive’ strikes against Iranian forces, tensions have escalated as Iran has expanded its list of potential targets to include the UK, including threats towards the Royal Family, in retaliation for the UK’s facilitation of US bomber activities.
Recently, the IRGC warned the “British regime” of potential attacks if it continues supporting the US-led military campaign against Iran, labeling any base used to invade Iranian territory as a legitimate target, including a direct mention of the British monarchy.
The involvement of RAF Fairford in the conflict with Iran has sparked controversy, leading to anti-war protests near the base in opposition to US bombing operations.
The recent US deployment of a B1 bomber from RAF Fairford marks the first such mission since hostilities resumed with Iran almost two weeks ago, coinciding with a significant increase in US military presence in the Middle East, including additional Special Forces and fighter jet squadrons.
Although the specific target of the B1 mission in Iran remains undisclosed, reports suggest that the bomber was utilized to strike IRGC assets, with additional B-52 bombers targeting IRGC bases in recent attacks.
The IRGC highlighted the US military’s shift towards using B1 aircraft from Fairford Air Base in England for aggressive actions against Iran, emphasizing that any base contributing to invasions in Iranian territory is considered a legitimate target.
The recent statement from the IRGC, titled “Warning to the British monarchy,” reflects escalating violence in the Middle East following the breakdown of a ceasefire agreement between Iran and the US, with the Houthis, a group aligned with Iran, conducting attacks on Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, leading to a surge in oil prices.
The Bab al Mandeb Strait, a critical passage for global maritime traffic, has been subject to a blockade by the Houthis, further complicating regional tensions and impacting international oil trade. The Ministry of Defence and Buckingham Palace have been contacted for their responses to the situation.