Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has warned that any bases used by the United States for aggression against Iran are “legitimate targets”, directly threatening British soil. The UK government responded by stating it is “ready to defend itself” against any attack, highlighting its layered air and missile defence capabilities.
The UK has permitted the US to launch “defensive” operations from British bases hosting American aircraft since the start of the conflict, but has refused to take part in offensive missions. Prime Minister Andy Burnham was notified last week of an extension to this agreement with the US.
In a statement on the IRGC-linked Tasnim news agency, the group claimed that American bombing missions had been launched from RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire two days earlier. It accused the “British monarchy regime” of being a primary cause of regional hardship.
A government spokesperson said: “Our armed forces are ready to keep the United Kingdom safe from any kind of attacks, whether it’s on our soil or from abroad. The UK stands ready 24/7 to defend itself.” The Ministry of Defence has not commented on whether Fairford was used for operations against Iran this week.
Previous attacks on UK bases include a drone strike on RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus on 1 March and ballistic missiles fired at Diego Garcia in the Chagos Islands on 19 March. Iran has also struck US bases in Bahrain, the UAE and Kuwait, killing American personnel.
