UK's RIAT airshow cancelled because of Iran war

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May 22 (Reuters) - The Royal International Air Tattoo, ​one of the world's largest defence shows, has been ‌cancelled due to military operations linked to the Iran war, it said on Friday.

RIAT had been scheduled for July 17-19 at RAF Fairford, an ​active Royal Air Force base used by the U.S. ​Air Force, in southwest England. The airshow attracts more ⁠than 150,000 visitors every year.

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"This has not been an easy ​decision. It follows extensive discussions with the Royal Air Force ​and the United States Air Force regarding uncertainty over access to RAF Fairford, given the ongoing situation in the Middle East," RIAT said on ​its website.

The use of British military bases by U.S. forces ​for the Iran war became a point of tension between Prime Minister Keir ‌Starmer ⁠and President Donald Trump.

In March, Starmer said Britain would allow limited use of its bases but would not join offensive strikes on Iran.

British-based defence analyst Francis Tusa said preparations for the ​annual event - organised ​by an ⁠RAF charity - tie up the base, which is leased by the U.S. Air Force, for weeks.

"It ​is an indication that there is no guarantee ​that ⁠the potential for further Iran conflict will be over by July," he said.

"Every week that the B-52s and B-1s did not ⁠go home ​has raised questions about RIAT."

The organisation ​said it intended to hold the show in 2027.

Reporting by Andy Bruce, additional ​reporting by Tim Hepher, editing by Sam Tabahriti and Barbara Lewis

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