UK ‘ready to defend itself’ after Iran threatens to strike RAF base used by US

Ground crew personnel work by a USAF B-1B bomber at RAF Fairford airbase (Picture: Reuters) Britain ‘stands ready 24/7 to defend itself’, the Government has said, after Iran threatened to strike a Royal Air Force base used by the US. In a statement yesterday, Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) accused the Government of ‘complicity in the crime of aggression and war crimes’ by allowing the US to carry out ‘unlawful attacks’. While the Government has refused to take part in offensive campaigns against Iran, it has allowed the US to launch defensive strikes from British bases hosting American personnel. US President Donald Trump has carried out 13 consecutive nights of strikes against targets in Iran, indicating potential further escalation. Andy Burnham, the new Prime Minister, has mai