U.S. B-52 Bombers Arrive in U.K. Amid Rising Tensions With Iran

Three US B-52 Stratofortress bombers landed at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire on Monday, marking the first deployment of the Cold War-era aircraft in the current conflict with Iran.

The bombers join a fleet of U.S. military planes already stationed at the base, including B-1 Lancers that arrived over the weekend.

NEW: At least three U.S. B-52 bombers have landed at RAF Fairford in the U.K., signaling preparations for potential sustained heavy bomber strikes against Iran.

Source: Airport Action pic.twitter.com/LmSKVQvX9I

— Clash Report (@clashreport) March 9, 2026

Their arrival comes days after U.S. President Donald Trump warned Iran that the U.S. had not “even started hitting them hard” and that “the big one is coming soon.”

Each B-52 measures 160 feet and can carry up to 70,000 pounds of mixed weapons, including cruise missiles and nuclear-capable ordnance, with a range exceeding 1,500 miles. The aircraft, piloted by a crew of five, has been in service since 1952.

The deployment comes after the U.K. granted permission for the U.S. to use RAF Fairford and the Diego Garcia base in the Indian Ocean.

Starmer had initially refused to grant permission for the U.S. to use U.K. bases in its joint offensive with Israel against Iran, sparking a disagreement with Trump.

In a video statement released Sunday, Starmer said he approved the U.S.’ request, citing the “collective self-defence” of allies and the need to protect British lives.

He added that U.S. forces would use U.K. bases for the “specific and limited defensive purpose” of destroying Iran’s missiles “at source.”

The U.S. Central Command said Monday that more than 5,000 targets in Iran have been struck and over 50 of the country’s naval vessels have been destroyed since the war began on Feb. 28.