Iran's IRGC declares RAF Fairford a 'legitimate target' after US B-1 bomber missions

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has designated RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire as a legitimate target, following the use of the airfield by American B-1 bombers for missions against Iran.

IRGC Statement

The IRGC issued its 46th statement since the conflict resumed on Thursday. It claimed that the United States had turned to B-1 bombers operating from Fairford after missile stocks aboard its ships in the Indian Ocean were depleted.

The statement included a direct warning to London:

"As Foreign Ministry officials have also clarified, any base used to invade Iranian territory is our legitimate target."

The statement was notably titled "Warning to the British monarchy" and employed unusually blunt language:

"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, widespread massacres in these countries, imposing authoritarian governments, and worst of all, organising and leading the occupation of Palestine and the creation of the Israeli Nakba, and has participated most in the recent aggressions of the United States and the Zionist regime against Iran, not to burden its case any further."

UK Government Response

According to Reuters, Britain responded on Thursday by stating that its armed forces were prepared to defend the country against any attack. A government spokesperson said:

"Our Armed Forces are ready to keep the United Kingdom safe from any kind of attacks, whether it's on our soil or from abroad. The UK stands ready 24/7 to defend itself."

The spokesperson added that this includes a layered approach to air and missile defence, drawing on Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force assets, working alongside NATO allies.

The government declined to comment on the specific sorties, citing its standing policy of not commenting on foreign nations' military operations.

Background on US Operations from Fairford

American aircraft have been operating from RAF Fairford in connection with the conflict since March, when the base was authorised for what the UK government described as defensive strikes.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who took office on 20 July, has maintained that policy. Last week, the government recommitted to the existing agreement allowing the US to use British bases in what it described as the collective self-defence of the region. The arrangement covers American operations against missile sites used to attack shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian Foreign Ministry Statement

Alongside the IRGC's statement, Iran's Foreign Ministry issued its own condemnation of the decision to allow US use of British bases. It warned that any party taking part in aggression against Iran would bear responsibility for the consequences.

The ministry described London as a principal architect of instability in the region and cited a series of historical grievances, including:

• The 1953 coup
• British backing for Iraq during the 1980s war
• Nuclear sanctions
• The recent proscription of the IRGC