A US aircraft has been moved to a Scottish airport after an RAF base reportedly received an Iran-related threat.
The Wall Street Journal reported two US refuelling tankers stationed at RAF Mildenhall, in Suffolk in England, were diverted to Germany on Monday morning, while several other tankers at the base were moved to Germany and other locations later in the day.
Flight tracking data shows that nine tankers and three Ospreys left RAF Mildenhall, in Suffolk in England, on Monday afternoon and evening.
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Most of the tankers – which are all Boeing KC-135 Stratotankers – have been moved to airbases in Germany and Spain.
However, one is now at Prestwick Airport in South Ayrshire, which is adjacent to Glasgow Prestwick Airport, Sky News reports.
The three Ospreys have moved to RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk.
The exact nature of the threat is not yet known and remains under discussion among US officials, according to the Wall Street Journal.
A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said in a statement: “We do not routinely comment on the activity of other nations.
“Aircraft and other assets move regularly according to operational requirements.”
According to the Wall Street Journal, the US has upgraded RAF Mildenhall and RAF Lakenheath to the second-highest defensive threat level in the US Department of Defense's security system.
This is reportedly done when intelligence indicates that a form of terrorist action is likely.
The development comes weeks after the US withdrew its bombers from RAF Fairford following a suspected Iran-related terror incident near the airbase.
On Monday, US president Donald Trump said the US was “seeing positive momentum toward an end” to the conflict with Iran.
He wrote on Truth Social: “I had an excellent conversation with Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, the Prime Minister of Qatar, wherein much was discussed with respect to the Islamic Republic of Iran.
“Most importantly, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, and others, would prefer the status quo, in other words, a continuation of the Greatest Naval Blockade in History, and the new Operation Iron Gate – Therefore, Land and Sea. All have agreed that Iran cannot have a Nuclear Weapon – That is non-negotiable!
“Should there be any change with respect to developments in the Middle East, the United States of America is “locked and loaded” and ready to go.
“At this point, however, that seems to be quite unlikely. Israel, and the entire Middle East, are protected from Iranian danger and threats.
“We are seeing positive momentum toward an end to this Conflict, and will ensure that America’s interests are at all times protected. At the conclusion of this Military Engagement, the American People, and the World, will be far safer and more secure.”
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Cabinet minister Lucy Powell said the security of military bases in the UK was kept under review.
The Education Secretary told Sky News: “I can’t comment on those sort of live operations, as you know.
“But we’re constantly keeping the security of our bases under review and, as we’ve seen with other cases recently, we take firm and quick action where we need to.”
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