The United States has pulled its B-1 bombers from RAF Fairford, a British air base, following the arrest of five men suspected of planning terrorist activities nearby. British Prime Minister Andy Burnham suggested that the plot might be linked to Iran. The bombers, which had been stationed at the base for operations against Iran, have returned to their home bases in the US, according to a Pentagon official.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards had previously stated that the Fairford base was a target, and a NATO source confirmed concerns about a threat from Iran to US assets in the UK. The five men arrested have been released on bail; a sixth dual UK-Iranian national was also arrested but released on bail. Iran dismissed the allegations of involvement as unfounded, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi expressing disbelief at the accusations.
RAF Fairford is one of the few European bases capable of supporting heavy bombers and has played a significant part in US military operations in the past. It was used for strikes against Iranian missile sites threatening shipping. The Pentagon confirmed that all deployed bombers have returned to the US but emphasized their readiness for operations worldwide.
The removal of the bombers is linked to safety concerns regarding the suspected plots targeting the base. Early on September 27, police arrested five men seen behaving suspiciously; however, no explosives were found. Counterterrorism efforts are ongoing, and US President Trump commented that the detained individuals had planned significant harm and questioned their release on bail.
With information from Reuters
