US moves refuelling tankers out of RAF Mildenhall over Iran threat, weeks after Fairford pullout

Tankers leave Mildenhall

The Wall Street Journal reports that the US military moved aircraft out of RAF Mildenhall, an airbase near Cambridge in England, on Monday, 9 November. Two refuelling tankers based there diverted to Germany early in the morning, while several other tankers were moved to Germany and other locations later in the day. The report cites flight-tracking data and officials, and says the decision was linked to the threat from Iran. US officials are reportedly still examining whether the threat aimed at the base is general or more specific.

Earlier withdrawal from Fairford

In early October 2026, the US pulled its bombers out of RAF Fairford, a base that US bombers had used for strikes on Iran earlier this year. The withdrawal came days after five men were detained for suspicious behaviour near the base, which was possibly a target of suspected terrorists. Further arrests followed. The Revolutionary Guard of Iran had earlier said that any base involved in the war would be considered a legitimate target.

Official reactions

The US Air Force said only that aircraft move between different locations for a range of reasons, and gave no further comment on the report. A British defence spokesperson declined to address the reports, saying it is policy not to comment on the force movements of other countries. British officials have said that Iran-linked proxies are behind a series of arson attacks and other attacks in Britain and other countries, many of them targeting the Jewish community and intended to cause fear. They have warned that Tehran could widen its target list in the United Kingdom if the conflict in the Middle East continues.

Diplomacy and Trump's remarks

Earlier on the same day, US President Donald Trump said Iran was talking very courteously with American negotiators and that there were good chances of finding a solution to end the conflict between the two countries. He added that the war was essentially over. The report does not say whether the aircraft moves are linked to the talks or how the threat assessment is progressing.