US withdraws bombers from Britain over suspected Iranian-backed plot
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham that there are "strong indications" that Iran was involved in the terrorist plot targeting the base last week
The US military returned all 12 B-1 bombers stationed at RAF Fairford in Britain to the United States following threats of an Iranian-backed plot to attack the base, The New York Times reported, citing two US officials. The Pentagon confirmed the withdrawal but did not disclose the reason.
The withdrawal comes a week after authorities disrupted a suspected terrorist plot targeting the base, which had been used to launch strikes against Iranian missile sites linked to attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
Counterterrorism officers arrested six people on suspicion of explosives offenses and preparing acts of terrorism after three suspicious vehicles were spotted approaching the base.
Five of the suspects were British citizens from London, aged 23 to 25. A sixth suspect, a dual British-Iranian citizen, was arrested later.
All six were subsequently released on bail in what police described as an investigative and strategic decision.
US President Trump said those involved had intended to cause “major damage,” while Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggested a foreign entity was involved.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the United Kingdom had “strong indications” of direct Iranian involvement in the plot. Iran strongly denied the allegations and summoned the British ambassador to protest.
The Pentagon said operational security concerns had prevented it from confirming the aircraft movements while the withdrawal was underway. It confirmed that all US bombers stationed at Fairford had returned to their home bases in the United States.
RAF Fairford has served as a forward deployment base for the US Air Force for decades.