A United States Air Force 'nuke sniffer' aircraft has been spotted at RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk, as tensions with Iran escalate. The WC-135R Constant Phoenix is designed to collect radioactive particles from the air to detect nuclear activity.
The sighting comes as US President Donald Trump announced a 'massive armada' has been deployed to the Middle East, led by the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln. Trump warned Iran must negotiate a deal to abandon its nuclear weapons programme or face a 'far worse' attack.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, speaking during a visit to Beijing, said the priority is to ensure Iran does not develop nuclear weapons. 'We're working with allies to that end, and that is the central focus,' he stated, without directly endorsing Trump's actions.
The US has previously conducted strikes on Iran during Israel's conflict last year, and Trump's latest rhetoric signals a willingness to use military force. The build-up also follows a brutal crackdown on protests in Iran, with thousands reportedly killed.
