Iran Threatens European Bases as US Relocates Aircraft
Iran's Mohsen Rezaei threatened strikes on U.S. bases in Europe, prompting the U.S. Air Force to relocate aircraft and increase security at UK installations.
General Mohsen Rezaei, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, threatened to strike U.S. military installations across Europe, including distant bases and islands, if the United States attacks Iran. These warnings followed a declaration by President Donald Trump that the war in Iran is "militarily over."
In response to the threats and a suspected Iran-linked terror plot, the U.S. Air Force relocated nine Boeing KC-135 Stratotankers and three Ospreys from RAF Mildenhall and withdrew bombers from RAF Fairford. Security levels were elevated at RAF Mildenhall and RAF Lakenheath, the largest U.S. Air Force installation in the United Kingdom.
On November 14, 2026, U.S. Air Force security personnel responded to suspected unauthorized drone activity at RAF Lakenheath. U.S. and U.K. defense officials stated the situation was resolved without damage to personnel or infrastructure. While the British government maintains its air bases are secure, the U.S. Air Force in Europe confirmed ongoing coordination with host nation counterparts to ensure the safety of service members and civilians.
Separately, a U.S. Army officer assigned to a NATO unit near Gloucester was arrested on suspicion of spying for Russia, though police stated this arrest is unrelated to the counterterrorism investigations involving Iran.
