Swinney previously said the US-Israeli attack on Iran is “not compatible with the international rules-based system”.
He told the BBC‘s Laura Kuenssberg in an interview set to be broadcast on Sunday that he was seeking clarity from the UK government about the role of US planes using the Scottish Government-owned airport.
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He said: “We’re seeking clarity from the United Kingdom government about the purpose of American flights that are coming in and out of Prestwick, but we don’t have the ability to scrutinise those flights.”
When asked if he would ban such aircraft, he said: “I will consider that based on the evidence that’s provided to me.”
We previously reported, speaking in the chamber on Tuesday, External Affairs Secretary Angus Robertson confirmed the Government is seeking clarity that no aircraft passing through Scotland have been involved in US-Israeli offensive operations in the Middle East.
He said that some Scottish airports are regularly used as an “important stopover point” for air forces.
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He said: “Glasgow Prestwick Airport and some Highlands and Islands airport limited airports are an important stopover point for many air forces including the UK’s Royal Air Force and other Nato partners such as the United States, and have been for many years.
“This is in line with UK law, international aviation standards and long-standing agreements between allied nations. Prestwick is a civilian facility, and there are, of course, a plethora of military bases available to the United States and the Middle East.
“We have no information on whether any aircraft that passed recently through Scotland or whatever nation were involved in operations against Iran. That said, we believe it is essential that all nations abide by the international rules-based system. The events in Iran over the last few days, do not suggest to us that the United States and Israel have done this.
“It is also the case that the UK Prime Minister has said that UK military bases must not be used in US or Israeli offensive operations against Iran. The same must apply to non-military bases. We are therefore seeking clarity, not least from the UK Government, that no aircraft passing through Scottish Government-owned airports are part of offensive operations against Iran.”
On Monday, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer defended his decision not to allow the US access to UK bases for its initial strikes – a position which has since been reversed following pressure from Washington and states in the Gulf.
Prestwick Airport was nationalised by the Scottish government in 2013, with the majority of flights now cargo services, though hundreds of flights in recent years have involved the US military.
