US Moves Aircraft From UK’s RAF Mildenhall Base After Threat From Iran

The US military has moved several aircraft, including aerial refuelling tankers, from its RAF Mildenhall airbase in the United Kingdom following a reported threat from Iran, according to a Wall Street Journal report. The move comes as Washington and Tehran continue efforts to reach a deal to end the war.

US officials are assessing the nature of the threat to the Royal Air Force (RAF) Mildenhall base, including whether it is imminent or more general, the report said, citing people familiar with the matter.

Two US refuelling tankers operating from Mildenhall were diverted to Germany earlier on Monday. Several other aircraft stationed at the base were relocated to Germany and other locations later in the day, according to flight-tracking data and an official familiar with the matter.

A US Air Force official declined to comment on the reported threat but said American aircraft routinely rotate between installations and operating locations for various reasons, the report added.

US intelligence leaders briefed on Iran's threats

The Wall Street Journal also reported that the Gang of Eight — a group comprising senior congressional political and intelligence leaders — received a briefing on Monday about Iran's threats to the US homeland.

Asked about the security concerns, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington had responded by moving people away from the threat.

"We've addressed it by moving people away from the threat," Rubio said.

This is not the first time the US has moved aircraft out of its bases in the UK amid security concerns.

Last month, the Pentagon confirmed that all US B-1 bombers deployed at Britain's RAF Fairford had returned to their home bases in the United States. The withdrawal followed an investigation into a suspected terror attack at the airbase and reports of another unspecified threat.

"We can now acknowledge that all US bombers that were deployed to RAF Fairford have re-deployed to their home stations in the United States," a Pentagon official said.

Iran warns of attacks beyond the Middle East

Tehran has repeatedly warned that any US attack on Iran could trigger an escalation extending beyond the Middle East.

In its latest warning on November 7, Iran said its armed forces were stronger than they had been when the US and Israel began the war in February. It also threatened to target American interests without geographical restrictions if Washington attacked.

Iranian Army spokesperson Mohammad Akraminia said the country's armed forces had gained experience from direct confrontations with the US and Israel and were now on higher alert.

He added that, under the Supreme Leader's orders, Iran's military response would be "immediate, effective, and without geographical limitations".

An Axios report last month also said US intelligence agencies had detected a substantial increase in suspected Iranian attempts to target American diplomats and government officials in the Middle East and other parts of the world.

Some of the suspected plots, which could potentially result in loss of life, had reportedly reached advanced stages, raising concerns among US security officials.

Trump says Iran war is 'militarily effectively over'

US President Donald Trump met Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani on Monday, in a key development amid efforts to reach an agreement with Iran.

After the meeting, Trump told reporters that he believed the war in Iran was "militarily effectively over". He also suggested that Washington was not immediately prepared to resume the bombing campaign that has devastated Tehran and affected the global economy.

However, Trump has continued to issue warnings against Tehran, saying the US was "locked and loaded" to launch another military operation if required.

"We're building more weapons right now in our military than we've ever built before. If we have to do the rest of the Iran thing, we're very much locked and loaded," Trump said on Friday.

Speaking to C-SPAN on Tuesday, Trump reiterated that Washington would not allow Iran to develop nuclear weapons. Asked how long the conflict could continue, he said the US could resolve the matter quickly or over a short period.

Iran demands US acceptance of seven conditions

Last week, Iran sent a nuclear proposal to the US through Qatar, making it conditional on Washington meeting seven demands set out by Tehran.

Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, accused the US of spreading false information about negotiations and described Washington as a "desperate gambler".

In a post on X, Rezaei urged the US to accept Iran's demands and stop circulating what he called fabricated reports about talks.

"The war on Iran has already wrecked the US government. But Washington flails like a desperate gambler," he wrote.

He also called on Washington to stop denying what he described as a new order in West Asia and surrender to Iran's seven conditions.