Nuclear expert names four locations in UK that Iran could target

These are the four places at risk in Britain

According to Gene Sticco, former nuclear protection specialist for the United States Air Force, there is now an “unpredictable” and “deteriorating” situation unfolding in the Gulf.

The nuclear expert has pointed to four potential places in Britain which Iran could target.

Tensions have escalated over the weekend, as on Saturday, a joint US-Israel offensive was launched against Iran, which triggered counterattacks across the Gulf.

Sticco acknowledged that any strike on British by Iran territory is highly improbable, especially considering Iran's “conventional military reach doesn't extend to the British mainland with any reliability”.

However, according to the expert, there are four locations that could potentially be in the firing line in the UK, should an incident occur.

“In terms of UK-based military infrastructure that could be targeted through unconventional or cyber means, the obvious ones are RAF Fairford if it's being used for US operations, the naval facilities at Portsmouth and Devonport, and GCHQ in Cheltenham, though that last one would be a cyber target rather than a kinetic one”, he said.

RAF Fairford has previously been used by the Americans for long-range heavy bombing operations, and is reportedly poised for use in the Iran conflict.

In Portsmouth is where HMNB Portsmouth is located, where the Royal Navy stations almost two-thirds of its surface ships, including the aircraft carriers HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales.

In Plymouth, the HMNB Devonport stands as Western Europe's biggest naval base and accommodates amphibious vessels, research and survey craft, plus Royal Navy frigates.

In Cheltenham, meanwhile, the top-secret GCHQ (Government Communication Headquarters) serves as Britain's premier intelligence, security, and cyber agency.

“Iran has maintained intelligence networks in the UK and across Europe for decades”, Sticco explained.

“If Iran were to attempt something on UK soil, it would most likely take the form of a cyberattack on critical infrastructure, an attack on an Israeli or Jewish community target, or an attempt to strike a military or government-affiliated location”, he concluded.