Three American B-1B Lancer bombers have arrived at RAF Fairford after carrying out what is believed to be the first United States strike mission against Iran launched from a British base during the ongoing conflict.
Journalists from Al Jazeera reported seeing ground crews moving bunker-busting bombs across the runway and loading them onto US aircraft at the airbase. The bombs were fitted with Joint Direct Attack Munition guidance kits, which transform conventional bombs into precision-guided weapons using GPS and navigation systems.
The B‑1B Lancer is a long-range bomber capable of carrying a large conventional weapons payload and conducting deep-strike missions. Some of the munitions prepared at the base included penetrator bombs designed to hit fortified or underground targets.
The activity at RAF Fairford highlights the growing involvement of the United Kingdom in operations linked to the conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran.
Earlier, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said London would not permit US attacks on Iran to be launched from British territory. However, the government later allowed American forces to use British bases for what it described as defensive strikes targeting Iranian missile capabilities.
Since the war began on February 28, British forces have also helped intercept Iranian drones and missiles across the Middle East while deploying additional military resources to the eastern Mediterranean.
Public opinion in the UK appears largely opposed to the conflict. A survey by YouGov found that only a small portion of respondents strongly support US military action against Iran, while many say the reasons for the strikes remain unclear.
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