US bombers have reportedly left the United Kingdom as the Middle East conflict threatens to intensify, following approval from Prime Minister Andy Burnham for American forces to use British military bases for strikes against Iran.
According to Iranian news outlet The Hormuz Letter, the aircraft departed shortly after President Donald Trump threatened strikes on Iran's Pickaxe Mountain nuclear facility. The claim was shared on social media platform X, accompanied by footage of an overhead aircraft.
Burnham has authorised the use of UK bases for what are described as 'defensive' strikes, continuing a policy set by his predecessor Sir Keir Starmer, as reported by Bloomberg. No official statement has been issued from the Prime Minister's office.
Trump warned on Tuesday, July 21, that the Iranian nuclear site at Pickaxe Mountain, located approximately 140 miles south of Tehran and housing an underground tunnel complex, could become a target if a diplomatic resolution is not reached. The International Atomic Energy Agency's Director-General Rafael Grossi has previously acknowledged Iran's intention to house sensitive nuclear facilities underground at that location.
The escalation comes despite a June 17 Memorandum of Understanding between the US and Iran aimed at ending hostilities within 60 days. Iran recently announced its withdrawal from the agreement, citing American violations, while Trump declared the ceasefire 'over' days earlier. The conflict began with US-Israeli strikes on Iranian sites in February and subsequent Iranian retaliation, including closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
