All US B-1 bombers operating from RAF Fairford were sent back to their main bases in the United States after a security incident targeting the facility.
The Pentagon announced that the bombers stationed at the air base in the UK had been redeployed. The fleet, consisting of about 12 B-1 strategic bombers, has therefore been withdrawn from the country.
Six detained near Fairford
British counterterrorism police detained six people as part of an investigation into a planned attack that was reported to have been foiled last Sunday.
Police detained five British men after identifying three suspicious vans near RAF Fairford on September 27. They were released on bail as the investigation continued.
On October 1, counterterrorism officers detained a 25-year-old dual British-Iranian national on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts.
Iran denies alleged link
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said there were “strong indicators” of an Iranian link to the planned attack and that the police investigation was ongoing.
The Iranian government categorically denied allegations that it was connected to the foiled operation.
Base used during Iran war
Washington regarded the airfield in Gloucestershire as one of its main deployment hubs for bomber strike missions during the Iran war.
Pentagon confirms return; Trump points to possible Iran link
The Pentagon confirmed that all U.S. bombers deployed to RAF Fairford have returned to their home bases in the United States. Speaking at the White House before leaving for Nebraska, President Donald Trump said there were “some threats” and that the aircraft had been moved so as not to provoke the enemy, adding that they had not been taken very far and that the move was low-cost.
Asked about the source of the threats, Trump said they could be linked to Iran. Asked whether the aircraft were withdrawn because Iran had smuggled attack drones into Britain, he said he could not say, but warned that if that were the case, Iran would pay a heavy price. His remarks were not presented as the findings of a completed investigation.
