US pulls refueling tankers from UK base, moves them to Germany over Iran threat

The US military pulled refueling tankers and aircraft out of RAF Mildenhall in the United Kingdom on Monday, shifting them to Germany, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing sources familiar with the matter. The reason: security threats linked to Iran. The Journal didn't say how many aircraft were relocated or what specific threat drove the move.

The relocation landed the same day President Donald Trump told a White House briefing that the war against Iran was necessary to keep Tehran from building a nuclear weapon, but insisted it's 'ending quickly.' Trump said he saw no need for renewed military action and claimed US allies in the region are 'right now a lot safer than they were six months ago because Iran's been very much decapitated.' In a Truth Social post that day, Trump said Gulf Cooperation Council members would prefer the status quo — 'a continuation of the Greatest Naval Blockade in History, and the new Operation Iron Gate — Therefore, Land and Sea' — while noting 'positive momentum toward an end to this Conflict.'

Meanwhile, Al-Arabiya reported Monday that the US and Iran agreed Tehran would cap uranium enrichment inside the country at 3.67%, the level set under the original 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. Sources told the outlet a 'preliminary deal' on reducing enrichment 'is likely,' and that discussions are underway about a third country helping. Washington has allegedly asked that existing stockpiles be diluted to 60%.

Back in Washington, outgoing Kentucky Congressman Thomas Massie reintroduced articles of impeachment against US War Secretary Pete Hegseth in the House of Representatives on Monday. Massie accused Hegseth of knowingly carrying out 'unlawful orders' to launch military action against a foreign country without congressional authorization, arguing the war with Iran wasn't justified by an 'imminent threat' that would have warranted immediate defensive action.