Stealth bombers are anticipated to arrive at U.K. military bases in the coming days to participate in the U.S.-Israel campaign targeting Iran, as per reports.
Unnamed senior Western officials stated Wednesday that air bases at Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean and RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire are being prepared for the deployment of B-2 Spirit stealth bombers — the $2 billion strategic aircraft also recognized as the world’s most expensive.
The bombers are expected to land at the U.K. bases “in a matter of days” as Washington escalates its activities in the region, the outlet reported.
As noted in prior reporting, the U.S. military utilized stealth B-2 bombers to attack Iranian ballistic missile facilities on Feb. 28 during the commencement of Operation Epic Fury.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that the B-2 stealth bombers were armed with 2,000-pound bombs for the strikes.
The U.S. carried out limited strikes against Iran’s missile capabilities on Feb. 29 after Prime Minister Keir Starmer approved the plan. U.K. Defense Secretary John Healey remarked that Britain had “stepped up alongside the Americans.”
Starmer stated the authorization was given to safeguard U.K. and U.S. allies as hostilities intensified. He had earlier pledged not to permit American forces to use U.K. bases for offensive actions in the region.
Tensions have since increased for the U.K. due to an incident in Cyprus. RAF Akrotiri, a crucial British military base on the island, was hit by a suspected drone on March 2, resulting in minor damage.
The drone was described as resembling an Iranian-designed model, akin to types used by Russia in Ukraine and by Tehran’s regional proxies.
The Ministry of Defense stated that force-protection measures were at the “highest level” and that the base had implemented defenses for its personnel. Approximately 3,500 personnel are stationed at RAF Akrotiri.
The U.S. State Department elevated its travel advisory for Cyprus to Level 3, advising Americans to reconsider travel due to the threat of armed conflict and limited consular support in some areas.
Non-emergency embassy staff and their families were permitted to depart. Officials clarified that the updated advisory corresponded to changes in embassy functions, not a fundamental shift in the risk level.
Former President Donald Trump had labeled Starmer “uncooperative” and criticized him as “not Winston Churchill” after Starmer initially rejected a U.S. request to utilize U.K. bases for strikes on Iran, according to reports.
Trump has also denounced Britain’s agreement to transfer the Chagos Islands, where the Diego Garcia base is located, to Mauritius.