Although Fairford is nominally an RAF base it is mainly a European forward base for the US Air Force – USAF- which has its heavy bombers there on standby for missions in locations such as the Middle East.

But the distinction has been lost on the Tehran regime which claimed it has widened its targeting list for attacks to the UK, even threatening the Royal Family, in seeking revenge for the UK allowing the US to use British bases for its bombers. It issued a threat titled: “Warning to the British monarchy.”

A US Air Force B-1 Lancer heavy bomber on the tarmac at RAF Fairford (file photo)(Image: TOLGA AKMEN/EPA/Shutterstock)

It read: “We warn the British monarchy, which is the main cause of misfortunes of the people of our region and has a dark record of dividing Islamic countries, widespread massacres, imposing authoritarian governments, and worst of all, organizing and leading the occupation of Palestine and the creation of the Israeli Nakba, and has participated most in the aggressions of the United States and the Zionist regime against Iran, not to burden its case any further.”

In March, then-PM Keir Starmer allowed RAF Fairford to be used by the USAF for “defensive” strikes against Iranian forces. But he stood up to the US, refusing to involve British forces in President Donald Trump’s war on Iran.

We understand PM Andy Burnham was notified of last week’s decision to extend the contentious existing agreement for the US to use UK bases to defend the Middle East region. An anti-war protest was held at RAF Fairford in April.

The UK government told the Daily Mirror on Thursday: “For operational security reasons we do not comment on foreign nations military operations.”

But reacting to the threat specifically against RAF Fairford a Government spokesperson said: “Our Armed Forces are ready to keep the United Kingdon safe from any kind of attacks, whether it’s on our soil or from abroad. The UK stands ready 24-7 to defend itself. This includes through operating a layered approach to air and missile defence, provided by the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force assets equipped with a range of advanced capabilities working closely with our NATO allies. “

US Military personnel inspect a bomb from a US Air Force B-1 bomber at RAF Fairford(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

According to US news website Axios, the B1 bomber – which can carry two-dozen 2,000lb bombs – took off from RAF Fairford on Tuesday. But

The new IRGC statement threatened the “British regime” with attacks if it continues to support America’s war effort against Tehran.

Its press release said “any base used to invade Iranian territory is our legitimate target” before warning the “British monarchy”.

Tuesday’s launch was the first time the US has carried out a B1 mission since fighting in Iran resumed nearly two weeks ago. The return of heavy bombers to the US mission has coincided with a surge in US military to the Middle East. More US Special Forces are heading to the region as are extra squadrons of fighter jets.

It is not currently confirmed what the B1’s target in Iran was, but Axios reports the long-range plane was used to hit IRGC assets. The Daily Mirror also understands B-52 bombers also targeted IRGC bases in the latest attacks.

Referring to the US use of the RAF base, the IRGC said: “The aggressive US military, which had been using cruise missiles from its ships in the Indian Ocean in its aggressions after the official resumption of the war, turned to using B1 aircraft flying from Fairford Air Base in England yesterday, as the missile reserves of the aforementioned ships ran out.”

The statement continued ominously: “As Foreign Ministry officials have also clarified, any base used to invade Iranian territory is our legitimate target.”

Following a 12th consecutive night of US strikes, the Iranian military group warned “this time we will not allow America to replace its oil and ammunition reserves with deceptive ceasefires and then resume attacks” .

Meanwhile, the Houthis, an armed Islamist group aligned with Iran, struck two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea last night (Wednesday) after announcing a blockade of the Bab al Mandeb Strait on Tuesday. These latest attacks have seen oil prices soar, oil topping $100 a barrel for the first time since May.

The Houthis announced a blockade of the Bab al Mandeb strait on Tuesday. The strait, at the southern entrance to the Red Sea, is a chokepoint for oil tankers and cargo vessels moving goods across the world.

Credit: The Mirror