The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps has said UK bases are 'a legitimate target' in an alarming statement that also appears to threaten the Royal Family15:26, 23 Jul 2026Updated 17:53, 23 Jul 2026The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has issued a chilling warning to the British Royal Family and threatened military bases in the UK after the US launched an attack involving what Tehran claims was a mission from RAF Fairford.‌It is not known if the long-range B1 bomber took off from the Gloucestershire base and went straight on to its mission against Iran or whether it stopped off and then launched from a US base in Europe or elsewhere, as they have done before.‌Although Fairford is nominally an RAF base it is mainly a European forward base for the US Air Force - USAF- which has its heavy bombers there on standby for missions in locations such as the Middle East.‌But the distinction has been lost on the Tehran regime which claimed it has widened its targeting list for attacks to the UK, even threatening the Royal Family, in seeking revenge for the UK allowing the US to use British bases for its bombers.In March, the then Prime Minister Keir Starmer gave permission for the base to be used by the USAF on 'defensive' strikes against Iranian forces - even though attacks on Tehran's air defences might be termed 'defensive.'‌But he steadfastly stood up to US President Trump despite immense pressure, refusing overtly to involve British forces in his war on Iran. The use of bases in the UK, even though they may be known as US bases, is a contentious issue since it seems the UK is involved in the war by implication.The UK government told the Daily Mirror on Thursday: "For operational security reasons we do not comment on foreign nations military operations."But reacting to the threat specifically against RAF Fairford a Government spokesperson said: "Our Armed Forces are ready to keep the United Kingdon safe from any kind of attacks, whether it's on our soil or from abroad. The UK stands ready 24-7 to defend itself. This includes through operating a layered approach to air and missile defence, provided by the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force assets equipped with a range of advanced capabilities working closely with our NATO allies. "‌The Mirror also understands the Prime Minister was notified of the decision taken last week to extend the existing agreement for the US to use UK bases in tdefence of the Middle East, including US defensive operations to degrade the missile sites and capabilities of Iran to attack shipping in the Strait fo Hormuz.According to US news website Axios, the B1 bomber - which can carry two-dozen 2,000lb bombs - took off from RAF Fairford on Tuesday. But the Mirror understands it may have stopped off en route.The IRGC's statement today threatened the "British regime" with attacks if it continues to support America's war effort against Tehran.‌Its press release said "any base used to invade Iranian territory is our legitimate target" before warning the "British monarchy".The statement claimed the monarchy is "the main cause of the misfortunes of the people of our region" and urged that it shouldn't "burden its case any further."It said: "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, organizing 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." Buckingham Palace declined to comment.‌RAF Fairford's involvement in the Iran conflict has proved contentious, with a peaceful anti-war demonstrations held there in opposition to the US bombing raids.Tuesday's launch was the first time the US has carried out a B1 mission since fighting in Iran resumed nearly two weeks ago. The return of heavy bombers to the US mission has coincided with a surge in US military to the Middle East. More US Special Forces are heading to the region as are extra squadrons of fighter jets.It is not currently confirmed what the B1's target in Iran was, but Axios reports the long-range plane was used to hit IRGC assets. The Daily Mirror also understands B-52 bombers also targeted IRGC bases in the latest attacks.‌Referring to the US use of the base, the IRGC said: "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 yesterday, as the missile reserves of the aforementioned ships ran out."The statement continued ominously: "As Foreign Ministry officials have also clarified, any base used to invade Iranian territory is our legitimate target."Article continues belowThe latest statement from the IRGC, titled: "Warning to the British monarchy" came as violence has spiralled in the Middle East following the collapse of the ceasefire deal between Iran and the US. Following a 12th consecutive night of US strikes, the Iranian military group warned "this time we will not allow America to replace its oil and ammunition reserves with deceptive ceasefires and then resume attacks" .The Houthis, an armed Islamist group aligned with Iran, struck two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea last night (Wednesday) after announcing a blockade of the Bab al Mandeb Strait on Tuesday. These latest attacks have seen oil prices soar, oil topping $100 a barrel for the first time since May.The Houthis announced a a blockade of the Bab al Mandeb strait on Tuesday. The strait, at the southern entrance to the Red Sea, is a chokepoint for oil tankers and cargo vessels moving goods across the world.