US military moves aircraft from UK airbase over threats from Iran

The United States military moved aircraft from RAF Mildenhall airbase in the United Kingdom in response to threats from Iran. 

The aircraft were operating under “enhanced force protection measures,” but the exact nature of the threat wasn't disclosed, NBC reported, citing an unnamed U.S. official. 

At least eight air refueling tankers and three Ospreys left the base in Suffolk on Monday, according to flight tracking data. 

Some of the aircraft were relocated to airbases in Germany and Spain, and one went to Scotland. The Ospreys were moved to another airbase in Suffolk. 

The operations come weeks after two men in Britain were charged in connection with an incident last month near RAF Fairford, an air base in England that the U.S. has used to launch strikes on Iran.

The incident occurred last month outside the base. Police arrested five men who had been traveling nearby in white vans. They were later released on bail, but authorities confirmed they were still under investigation.

The British government believes Iran "played a part" in the incident. United Kingdom Prime Minister Andy Burnham told the BBC there are "strong indications that Iran played a part in what happened over the weekend at RAF Fairford, but of course it remains an ongoing, complex and serious police investigation."