Key Takeaways
- The United States has removed its B-1 bombers from RAF Fairford in the UK.
- Five men were arrested nearby on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts, with Iran suspected of involvement.
- The move comes amid heightened tensions between the US and Iran, with the Pentagon citing new threats as the reason.
The United States has withdrawn its B-1 bombers from RAF Fairford, a British air base, following the arrest of five men suspected of preparing terrorist acts. The incident has raised concerns over potential Iranian involvement.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated that the suspected plot was likely backed by Iran, while the Pentagon confirmed that the bombers have now returned to their home bases in the United States.
The Fairford base, located 90 miles west of London, has historically been a key airfield for US operations in the Middle East, despite not being permanently home to the bombers.
During the current conflict, the US had permission to use Fairford for defensive strikes against Iranian missile sites attacking ships in the Strait of Hormuz, but not for offensive strikes.
The redeployment of the bombers has strained ties between the US and Britain, with the British government declining to comment on the matter.
A Pentagon spokesman stated that all US bombers deployed to RAF Fairford have now re-deployed to their home stations in the US, adding that the bomber force remains ready for precision global strike capabilities.
The New York Times reported that the US had moved the bombers after receiving new threats about an Iran-backed plot, with some planes leaving while aerial refuelling aircraft were still being scrambled.
Christoph Bergs, a research analyst at the Royal United Services Institute, noted that the redeployment would reduce the US's capacity to quickly surge sorties against Iran, but the use of Fairford was already limited.
Iran's Revolutionary Guards had previously stated that the base was a legitimate target, and its foreign minister, Abbas Araqchi, dismissed accusations of involvement, writing on X that Iran's belief in the release of supposed terrorists working for foreign states was clear.
We can acknowledge now that all US bombers that were deployed to RAF Fairford have re-deployed to their home stations in the United States.
Pentagon spokesman, Pentagon spokesman
I can confirm Iran’s belief that releasing supposed terrorists working for foreign states really says it all. You’re barking up the wrong tree.
Abbas Araqchi, Iran’s foreign minister
