The United States has taken its fleet of bombers away from a British airbase following the arrest of five men suspected of planning terrorist acts linked to an Iranian plot, which has not been fully explained. On September 27, police were called to RAF Fairford in the UK after a local farmer reported seeing suspicious vans and men in masks. The five suspects were arrested for potential violations of explosives laws and later for preparing a terrorist act. They were released on bail shortly after.
US President Donald Trump remarked that those behind the plot aimed to cause significant harm, and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggested foreign involvement. The Iranian Revolutionary Guards had previously claimed the base was a legitimate target. British counter-terrorism police later indicated they were exploring potential foreign state involvement, with Prime Minister Andy Burnham highlighting a possible Iranian connection. A 25-year-old dual UK-Iranian national was also arrested but released on bail during ongoing investigations.
A Pentagon official announced that all US bombers at RAF Fairford had returned to the US a week after the initial arrests, without providing a reason. A NATO source stated that Iran remains a significant threat to US assets in the UK. In response to the accusations, Iran dismissed its involvement and summoned the British ambassador.
The five arrested men, all British nationals aged 23 to 25, lived in London and had no explosives found during the searches, though petrol was recovered. They are currently under investigation with strict conditions on their movements. The RAF Fairford base has a historical significance for US military operations and is among the few European bases suitable for heavy bombers.
With information from Reuters
