US withdraws all bombers from UK base amid reports of Iranian plot to attack facility
The U.S. military has withdrawn all of its bombers deployed at RAF Fairford in the United Kingdom and returned them to their home bases in the United States, the Pentagon confirmed Sunday.
According to reports, the rapid withdrawal followed new intelligence concerning an alleged Iranian plot to attack the base. Reporting citing U.S. officials said the new security warnings prompted commanders to move the aircraft out quickly.
Five British men were arrested near RAF Fairford about a week earlier on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act. British counterterrorism authorities are investigating possible foreign-state involvement, including a potential Iranian connection. The five were subsequently released on bail while the investigation continues. A sixth suspect, a British-Iranian dual national, was also arrested in connection with the investigation and later released. Iran has denied involvement.
“While operational security precluded us from confirming the movement of our assets and forces in real time, we can acknowledge now that all U.S. bombers that were deployed to RAF Fairford have redeployed to their home stations in the United States,” a U.S. defense official said.
U.S. officials said approximately a dozen B-1 bombers were among the aircraft redeployed. The Pentagon stressed that its bomber force, including B-1s, B-2s and B-52s, remains capable of conducting global strike missions from the continental United States.
