Updated 5m ago · World

US Reportedly Moves Aircraft From Second UK Base Over Iran

The US military moved refueling tankers out of RAF Mildenhall in England on Monday. The Wall Street Journal reported the move followed a threat from Iran.

Two US tankers at Mildenhall diverted to Germany Monday morning.
Several more tankers moved later to Germany and other locations.
Mildenhall and RAF Lakenheath were raised to FPCON Charlie, a US official said.
FPCON Charlie is the Pentagon's second-highest threat level.

Why it matters: The move follows the US withdrawal of B-1 bombers from RAF Fairford after a September security incident. Fairford had been used for US strikes on Iran.

7 people were arrested over the Fairford incident, two on suspicion of aiding Iranian intelligence.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the Fairford activity was likely coordinated in Iran.
Iran's ambassador to Britain denies involvement in any plot against the base.

How 41 sources split on this story

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Coverage by lean% of 41 sources

41 sources · 45 articles · 44% Center coverage

Center18 sources

CTV News2hU.S. Air Force evacuates aircraft from a base in England because of a threat, official says Associated Press6hUS Air Force evacuates tankers from base in England due to Iran threat, Wall Street Journal reports BBC News8hUS military aircraft leave second UK base, media reports Bloomberg7hUS Moves Aircraft From Second UK Base Over Iran Threat Financial Times8hUS removes planes from second UK military base after Iran threat IBTimes3hU.S. Reportedly Evacuates Aircraft From Another UK Base Over Another Iran Threat Iran International6hUS moves aircraft out of second British base over Iran threat - WSJ Japan Times9hU.S. aircraft evacuated from second U.K. base due to Iran threat, WSJ reports Jerusalem Post9hUS refeuling aircraft evacuated from UK's RAF Mildenhall base due to Iran threat - report Military.com2hUS Air Force Evacuates Aircraft From a Base in England Because of a Threat, US Official Says News4Jax6hUS Air Force evacuates aircraft from a base in England because of a threat, US official says Sky News8hUS aircraft moved from RAF Mildenhall over 'Iran threat'Stars and Stripes5hUS moves refueling aircraft from Britain to Germany amid reported Iran threat Times of Israel6hUS said to move military aircraft from 2nd British base due to threat from Iran USA Today2hBritain says its bases are safe after US refueling planes evacuated WESH 2 News5hUS Air Force evacuates tankers from base in England due to Iran threat, WSJ reports WFLA News Channel 85hUS Air Force evacuates tankers from base in England due to Iran threat, Wall Street Journal reports Yahoo News5hUS military aircraft leave second UK base

Left coverage, 10 sources: The left frames the move as a reported evacuation tied to the unresolved Fairford case and broader security risks of the US-Iran war.

The Guardian9hUS reportedly evacuated aircraft from RAF Mildenhall over Iran threat The Independent5hUS Air Force evacuates tankers from base in England due to Iran threat, Wall Street Journal reports ABC News5hRefueling tankers moved from UK to Germany due to unspecified Iran threat, official says Al Jazeera8hUS moves aircraft from second UK base over ‘threat from Iran’CNN7hUS evacuates aircraft from British military base after threat from Iran, WSJ reports HuffPost7mU.S. Air Force Relocates Aircraft From A Base In England Because Of A Threat, U.S. Official Says NBC News5hU.S. moves military aircraft from British base amid Iran threats Political Wire6hU.S. Aircraft Evacuated From Second U.K. Base The Boston Globe1hUS Air Force evacuates aircraft from a base in England because of a threat The Washington Post4hU.S. aircraft abruptly depart a second U.K. base

Right coverage, 13 sources: The right frames it as a fast-developing story about an Iranian threat forcing US aircraft off a second British base.

The Sun10hUS ‘evacuates aircraft from second RAF base after threat from Iran’Breitbart News5hU.S. Military Aircraft Depart Second UK Base After 'Iran Threat'Daily Mail8hUS 'evacuates aircraft from second RAF base amid Iran threat'Just the News16hUS military moves aircraft from UK airbase over threats from Iran New York Post4hUS pulls aircraft from second British base over threat from Iran: report Newsmax7hUS Air Force Evacuates Tankers From Base in England Due to Iran Threat The National Pulse8hU.S. Abandons Another British Base After Reported Iran Threat.The Washington Times3hU.S Air Force evacuates tankers from base in England due to Iran threat The Western Journal55mU.S. Air Force Evacuates Jets from Base Due to Iranian Threat: Report Townhall8hUS Reportedly Pulls More Aircraft From British Base Over Threats From Iran Wall Street Journal11hU.S. Aircraft Evacuated From Second U.K. Base Due to Iran Threat Washington Examiner3hUS evacuates air refueling tankers from UK base over security concerns ZeroHedge2hPentagon Scrambles Tankers From Second British Base, Weeks After Bombers Fled Fairford

What’s next: US officials are still discussing the nature of the threat, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Britain's Ministry of Defence said it does not routinely comment on other nations' activity.
A US Air Force spokesperson said aircraft rotate between installations for many reasons.
What specific threat prompted the move from Mildenhall?
Will the tankers return, or will US operations shift away from UK bases?
Is the Mildenhall threat connected to the Fairford incident?