Iran warns Britain's RAF Fairford is a 'legitimate target' after US used base to launch B1 bomber raid

By PERKIN AMALARAJ, FOREIGN NEWS REPORTER and IMOGEN GARFINKEL - SENIOR FOREIGN NEWS REPORTER Published: 15:45, 23 July 2026 | Updated: 15:56, 23 July 2026 Iran has warned that Britain's RAF Fairford is a 'legitimate target' after the US used the base to launch a B1 bomber raid.  The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued a statement threatening the 'British regime' with attacks if it continues to support America's war effort against Tehran. 'The aggressive US military, which had been using cruise missiles from its ships in the Indian Ocean in its aggressions after the official resumption of the war, turned to using B1 aircraft flying from Fairford Air Base in England [...] as the missile reserves of the aforementioned ships ran out,' the statement said, according to the IRNA news agency. 'As Foreign Ministry officials have also clarified, any base used to invade Iranian territory is our legitimate target,' it added. According to US news website Axios, the B1 - which can carry two-dozen 2,000lb bombs - took off from RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire on Tuesday.  It marks the first such mission launched from the UK since Andy Burnham became Prime Minister. It was also the first time the US has carried out a B1 mission since fighting in Iran resumed nearly two weeks ago.  Bloomberg reported earlier this week that Burnham, who took power on Monday following Sir Keir Starmer's formal resignation, had approved the use of UK military bases by the US.  [File photo] Iran has warned that Britain's RAF Fairford is a 'legitimate target' after the US used the base to launch a B1 bomber raid It is not currently known what the B1's target in Iran was, but Axios reports the long-range plane was used to hit IRGC assets. During Operation Epic Fury, B1s were used to hit missile bases, command centres, weapons storage facilities and air defence systems.  Burnham had agreed to continue Starmer’s policy of allowing Washington to use the air base in Gloucestershire, as well as Diego Garcia airfield in the Chagos Islands for 'defensive strikes', according to Bloomberg.  'We warn the British monarchy, which is the main cause of the misfortunes of the people of our region and has a dark record of dividing Islamic countries [...] not to burden itself any further with this case,' the IRGC's statement said. The Daily Mail has contacted Downing Street and UK's ministry of defence for comment.