Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has warned Britain that RAF Fairford could be considered a legitimate target after the airbase was reportedly used by the United States to launch strikes against Tehran.
The warning came after a US B-1 bomber reportedly took off from RAF Fairford on Tuesday for military operations against Iran, escalating tensions over Britain’s role in the ongoing conflict.
In a statement, the IRGC accused Britain of supporting US military operations against Iran and warned that any base used to launch attacks on Iranian territory would be regarded as a legitimate target.
“As Foreign Ministry officials have also clarified, any base used to invade Iranian territory is our legitimate target,” the IRGC said.
The warning follows reports that the US military deployed a B-1 bomber from the Gloucestershire-based RAF Fairford for strikes on Tehran. The aircraft is capable of carrying up to two dozen 2,000-pound bombs, according to reports cited by LBC.
The IRGC also issued a broader warning to the British government, accusing it of contributing to conflicts in the Middle East and criticising its support for US and Israeli military actions against Iran.
The development comes amid an escalation in the wider Middle East conflict, with US President Donald Trump reportedly announcing intensified military operations against Iran and its Houthi allies.
The UK government, however, declined to comment directly on the reported US military operation, citing operational security concerns.
“For operational security reasons, we do not comment on foreign nations’ military operations,” the government said.
The warning places renewed focus on Britain’s decision to allow the United States access to its military facilities for what the UK has described as defensive operations, while raising concerns over the potential consequences for British military installations and personnel.
