British Prime Minister emphasizes defensive mission while US planes arrive at RAF Fairford
WEB DESK: A fleet of American strategic bombers has landed at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, signalling a notable escalation in Britain’s involvement in the intensifying standoff with Iran.
The deployment, which includes at least eight B-1B Lancers and three B-52H Stratofortresses, touched down under heavy clouds over the Cotswolds earlier this week. Aviation trackers and Ministry of Defence sources report the operation, reportedly codenamed “Operation Epic Fury,” aims to degrade Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities at their source.
Stationing the aircraft in the UK dramatically shortens flight times to the Middle East, removing the need for lengthy 30-hour missions from the United States.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer approved the move after days of political tension, granting Washington permission to launch what Downing Street described as “specific and limited defensive” strikes from British territory and the Indian Ocean base of Diego Garcia.
The decision marks a shift from Starmer’s initial refusal to participate in the opening phase of operations on February 28, a stance that had sparked a public disagreement with US President Donald Trump. The UK’s position hardened after an Iranian drone narrowly missed personnel at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus.
Speaking in the House of Commons, Starmer emphasized the UK would not engage in offensive operations, but would act in collective self-defense to protect British lives and pre-empt missile attacks.
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