The Pentagon confirmed that all U.S. bombers deployed at RAF Fairford, including B-1s and B-52s, had returned to their home stations in the US.
By Shula Rosen
The U.S. military withdrew all 12 B-1 bombers from RAF Fairford in Britain and returned them to the United States after commanders received new threats about a suspected Iranian-backed plot to attack the base, The New York Times reported, citing two U.S. officials.
The Wall Street Journal also reported that the bombers were removed because of a “security concern” involving the facility, located northwest of London.
The Pentagon confirmed that all U.S. bombers deployed at RAF Fairford, including B-1s and B-52s, had returned to their home stations in the United States.
It stressed that American bombers remain capable of carrying out missions “anywhere, anytime” directly from the continental United States.
RAF Fairford has served as a base for U.S. Air Force strikes against Iranian military and missile capabilities.
The withdrawal follows a security incident near the base that has led to six arrests.
Five UK nationals were detained on September 27 after suspicious vehicles were spotted approaching RAF Fairford.
Police arrested a sixth suspect, a 25-year-old dual British-Iranian national, in Westminster in central London on October 1 on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts.
All six have since been released on bail as the counterterrorism investigation continues.
U.S. President Donald Trump criticized the decision to release the suspects.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said there were “strong indications” that Iran played a role in the suspected plot.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio attributed the threat to a foreign actor, while Trump said those involved intended to cause major damage.
Tehran categorically rejected the allegations as baseless and summoned the British ambassador in protest.
Iran had previously warned that any base involved in attacks on Iranian territory would be considered a legitimate target.
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