THE Scottish Government has confirmed it has “no information” on whether US aircraft passing through Scottish airports were involved in recent strikes on Iran.
The issue was raised in the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday by Labour MSP Mercedes Villalba, who asked whether publicly owned airports – including Glasgow Prestwick and Wick John O'Groats – had been used.
External Affairs Secretary Angus Robertson told Holyrood that these airports have long served as stopover points for various air forces, including the RAF and Nato partners such as the US.
He also highlighted that there are a “plethora” of military bases available to the United States in the Middle East.
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But Robertson added: “We have no information, no information on whether any aircraft that passed recently through Scotland or whatever nation were involved in operations against Iran.
“That said, we believe it's essential that all nations abide by the international rules-based system. The events in Iran over the last few days do not suggest to us that the United States and Israel have done this. It's also the case that the UK Prime Minister has said that UK military bases must not be used in US or Israeli offensive operations against Iran.”
He went on: “The same must apply to non-military bases, and we're therefore seeking clarity, not least from the UK Government, that no aircraft passing through Scottish Government-owned airports are part of offensive operations against Iran.”
Villalba then highlighted how – following public pressure and reporting from The National – in 2024, the Scottish Government confirmed that Prestwick would no longer conduct business with the Israeli air force amid the genocide in Gaza.
She then asked if First Minister John Swinney would act again to ensure Scottish airports aren’t used by the US in the war.
Robertson answered: “I think I've already answered that question to Mercedes Villalba. We have made approaches to the UK Government to seek clarity. Because we want to be assured that no aircraft passing through Scottish Government-owned airports have been part of offensive operations against Iran.”
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