US removes bombers from UK base at centre of suspected Iranian plot
The Pentagon added that the country's bomber force remained ready to deliver precision global strike capabilities "anywhere, anytime".
Highlights:
- B-1 bombers return to US from UK Fairford base
- Bombers had been used for strikes on Iran
- Removal comes one week after suspected plot against base
- Iran denies involvement in any plot
- Fairford is one of few European bases suitable for heavy bombers
The United States has removed its B-1 bombers from a British air base one week after five men were arrested nearby on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts, a suspected plot that British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said was likely backed by Iran.
The planes had been stationed at RAF Fairford, the preferred European base for US bombers located 90 miles (145 km) west of London, which had recently been used for US strikes on Iran. A Pentagon official said on Sunday they had now returned to their home bases in the US.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
Iran's Revolutionary Guards said in late July that the base was a legitimate target. A NATO military source said on Monday: "It is still believed that Iran poses an acute threat to US assets in the UK".
The five men arrested by British police have been released on bail, and the incident remains largely unexplained. A sixth man, a dual UK-Iranian national arrested on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts, has also been released on bail.
Iran has said accusations it was involved in any plot are baseless, and its foreign minister, Abbas Araqchi, wrote on X: "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."
Key air base for us operations
As one of the US Air Force's only European airfields suitable for heavy bombers, the Fairford base has historically played a key role in previous US campaigns in the Middle East, although its bombers are not stationed there permanently.
During the current conflict, the US had permission to use Fairford to only strike Iranian missile sites that were attacking ships in the Strait of Hormuz - so-called defensive strikes - after London refused to grant permission for the US to use British bases for offensive strikes on Iran.
That approach has strained ties between the US and Britain, typically one of Washington's closest allies.
"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," a Pentagon spokesman wrote in an email.
The Pentagon added that the country's bomber force remained ready to deliver precision global strike capabilities "anywhere, anytime".
The New York Times, citing two US officials, said the US had rushed over the weekend to move the bombers after commanders received new threats about an Iran-backed plot. It said some of the planes had left while aerial refuelling aircraft were still being scrambled.
A US official declined to comment. The British government has declined to comment.
Christoph Bergs, research analyst at defence think tank the Royal United Services Institute, said the redeployment would in the short term reduce the US's capacity "to quickly surge sorties against Iran, reducing the threat level somewhat".
But he noted that use of Fairford was already limited given London's stipulation on defensive strikes. The aircraft could now potentially be sent to either Diego Garcia or bases in the Gulf, to reduce the need for more air-to-air refuelling to cover the additional distance, but that would depend on capacity availability, negotiations with allies and security, he added.
Plot was for 'big damage'
In the early hours of September 27, five British men in their 20s were arrested after being seen running into fields from three white vans parked near the base. Police said no explosive devices were found but a quantity of petrol was present.
US President Donald Trump said at the time that those involved in the plot had planned "big damage" and that it might have been connected to Iran, adding that he would not have released the suspects on bail. "I wouldn't have done that," he said on Tuesday.
A senior NATO military official said the move would not have any impact on the alliance: "NATO's defensive agility towards any aggression remains unchanged and unmatched thanks to the unity, strength, and combined capabilities of 32 nations".
The Wall Street Journal first reported the removal of the US bombers.
The United States has removed its B-1 bombers from a British air base one week after five men were arrested nearby on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts, a suspected plot that British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said was likely backed by Iran.
The planes had been stationed at RAF Fairford, the preferred European base for US bombers located 90 miles (145 km) west of London, which had recently been used for US strikes on Iran. A Pentagon official said on Sunday they had now returned to their home bases in the US.
Iran's Revolutionary Guards said in late July that the base was a legitimate target. A NATO military source said on Monday: "It is still believed that Iran poses an acute threat to US assets in the UK".
The five men arrested by British police have been released on bail, and the incident remains largely unexplained. A sixth man, a dual UK-Iranian national arrested on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts, has also been released on bail.
Iran has said accusations it was involved in any plot are baseless, and its foreign minister, Abbas Araqchi, wrote on X: "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."
Key air base for us operations
As one of the US Air Force's only European airfields suitable for heavy bombers, the Fairford base has historically played a key role in previous US campaigns in the Middle East, although its bombers are not stationed there permanently.
During the current conflict, the US had permission to use Fairford to only strike Iranian missile sites that were attacking ships in the Strait of Hormuz - so-called defensive strikes - after London refused to grant permission for the US to use British bases for offensive strikes on Iran.
That approach has strained ties between the US and Britain, typically one of Washington's closest allies.
"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," a Pentagon spokesman wrote in an email.
The Pentagon added that the country's bomber force remained ready to deliver precision global strike capabilities "anywhere, anytime".
The New York Times, citing two US officials, said the US had rushed over the weekend to move the bombers after commanders received new threats about an Iran-backed plot. It said some of the planes had left while aerial refuelling aircraft were still being scrambled.
A US official declined to comment. The British government has declined to comment.
Christoph Bergs, research analyst at defence think tank the Royal United Services Institute, said the redeployment would in the short term reduce the US's capacity "to quickly surge sorties against Iran, reducing the threat level somewhat".
But he noted that use of Fairford was already limited given London's stipulation on defensive strikes. The aircraft could now potentially be sent to either Diego Garcia or bases in the Gulf, to reduce the need for more air-to-air refuelling to cover the additional distance, but that would depend on capacity availability, negotiations with allies and security, he added.
Plot was for 'big damage'
In the early hours of September 27, five British men in their 20s were arrested after being seen running into fields from three white vans parked near the base. Police said no explosive devices were found but a quantity of petrol was present.
US President Donald Trump said at the time that those involved in the plot had planned "big damage" and that it might have been connected to Iran, adding that he would not have released the suspects on bail. "I wouldn't have done that," he said on Tuesday.
A senior NATO military official said the move would not have any impact on the alliance: "NATO's defensive agility towards any aggression remains unchanged and unmatched thanks to the unity, strength, and combined capabilities of 32 nations".
The Wall Street Journal first reported the removal of the US bombers.
