US B-52 Bombers Leave UK Base After Iran Ceasefire, Signaling Easing Tensions

US Air Force B-52 strategic bombers have departed a base in the UK after completing strike missions against Iran.

Six B-52 bombers deployed at Royal Air Force Fairford left the base on July 1, US military outlet The War Zone reported.

The six aircraft were sent to the UK in March and took part in US airstrike operations targeting Iran. Armed with JASSM long-range air-to-surface cruise missiles, the B-52s were reported to have hit key targets inside Iran.

The withdrawal points to some easing in tensions after a ceasefire agreement between the US and Iran, the outlet said. The US military is also gradually pulling back other aircraft it had deployed to the Middle East, including A-10 attack aircraft and F-22 and F-15E fighter jets. President Donald Trump has said the US could resume airstrikes on Iran if negotiations collapse, though it is currently prioritizing a diplomatic solution.

Still, the B-52 withdrawal does not necessarily mean the US has lost bombing capacity against Iran. Twelve B-1 Lancer strategic bombers remain at Fairford, and B-52, B-1 and B-2 stealth bombers based in the continental US could also be used for long-range strikes on Iran if needed.

Park Su-rim, Hankyung.com reporter paksr365@hankyung.com