US military aircraft pulled from second UK base after ‘Iran threat’
Bombers were withdrawn from RAF Fairford in October after an Iran-linked security incident.
AI generated Text-to-speech
LONDON — The U.S. has evacuated refueling aircraft from an RAF base in Britain after registering an alleged threat from Iran.
At least 10 U.S. planes left RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk on Monday, according to the BBC, and landed at other American bases in Europe and at Prestwick Airport in Scotland.
The operation was first reported by theWall Street Journaland confirmed by two U.K. officials briefed on the matter.
A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: “We do not routinely comment on the activity of other nations. Aircraft and other assets move regularly according to operational requirements.”
It comes weeks after anIran-linked security incidentat RAF Fairford, which saw the U.S. pull its bombers out of the base and return them to America.
Left out here: Leaves out what changes the picture
The article never says that RAF Fairford had been used by US bombers to carry out strikes on Iran during the US-Israel war on Iran. It also never says that the Revolutionary Guard had named bases used for those attacks as targets, or that Iran's ambassador denied involvement in any plot. Without these facts a reader meets the threat with no account of why these bases would be in Iran's sights, and hears no Iranian response.
How we know
- Al Jazeera English reported“RAF Fairford had been used by US bombers that carried out strikes on Iran.”US moves aircraft from second UK base over ‘threat from Iran’ (opens in a new tab)
- Al Jazeera English reported“While Tehran’s ambassador to the UK has denied accusations that it was involved in any plot against the airbase”US moves aircraft from second UK base over ‘threat from Iran’ (opens in a new tab)
A major incident was declared after three suspicious vans were seen near Fairford, which led to eight arrests. Two British nationals appeared in court in October in connection with an alleged plot connected to Iran.
Left out here: Leaves out what changes the picture
The article never says that counterterrorism police found no explosives in the three vans near RAF Fairford, only fuel and mostly empty plastic drums. It also never says that two suspects were re-arrested on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence service. With only "a major incident" and an "alleged plot" to go on, a reader may picture an attempted bombing that the police searches did not find.
How we know
- CBS News reported“U.K. counterterrorism police said no explosives were found in extensive searches of the three vehicles operated by the men arrested near RAF Fairford, only some fuel and a number of large, mostly empty plastic drums.”U.S. military moves aircraft from RAF Mildenhall base in U.K. to Germany, Spain, reportedly due to Iran threat (opens in a new tab)
- GB News reported“re-arrested on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence service under Section 3 of the National Security Act 2023”RAF Mildenhall: US evacuates jets from second RAF base and moves them to Germany after Iran threats (opens in a new tab)
U.K. Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s spokesman said: “The U.S. is one of our top security partners. We’re in constant communication with them, sharing intelligence and accessing threats together. Aircraft and other assets move regularly according to operational requirements… The protection of our bases, both in the U.K. and across the world, is a top priority.”
Conservative Party Leader Kemi Badenoch said on Tuesday that the latest U.S. withdrawal of assets is “very concerning, and our government’s got absolutely nothing to say about it.”
Head of the MI5 intelligence service Ken McCallumsaid last monththat threats from foreign adversaries against the U.K. had quadrupled in the last decade, including an increase in Iran-sponsored aggression against Jewish sites and military bases.
This story was updated to include a comment from the U.K. prime minister’s spokesperson.
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Read the original article on politico.eu (opens in a new tab)