US evacuates aircraft from second UK base amid Iran threat

The United States has evacuated American aircraft from RAF Mildenhall in the UK following a threat from Iran.

According to the Wall Street Journal, informed sources revealed on Tuesday that US officials are still discussing the exact nature of the threat to RAF Mildenhall and whether it is imminent or more general in nature.

Details indicate that two US refueling aircraft operating from Mildenhall were diverted to Germany early on Monday, while several other refueling planes based at the site were relocated to Germany and other locations later in the day, according to flight tracking data and another official familiar with the matter.

A spokesperson for the US Air Force declined to provide details about the movement of military assets, but said in a statement that US aircraft regularly move between bases and operational sites for various reasons.

These moves come after the Pentagon last month returned B-1 bombers to the United States from RAF Fairford in Britain, amid growing concerns among US officials over a complex Iran-backed plot targeting American pilots and aircraft using drones and other means, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Tehran had earlier stated that its response to any US attack on Iran would go beyond the region. In this context, the "Group of Eight," which includes top political and intelligence leaders in the US Congress, received a briefing on Monday regarding Iranian threats.