US withdraws B-1 bomber aircraft from UK’s Fairford base amid Iran fears

The United States has withdrawn its deployed B-1 bombers from RAF Fairford in western England, moving the aircraft back to their US home stations, the Pentagon told Reuters. Officials did not provide a real-time confirmation of movements at the time, citing operational security, but later acknowledged the full redeployment. The pullback comes amid heightened concern over a possible attack on the base. UK authorities arrested five men near RAF Fairford on September 27 on suspicion of plotting to plant explosives; those men were released without charge the following day after investigators found petrol but no explosives in their vehicles. Separately, British police later detained a 25-year-old UK-Iranian dual national in London on suspicion of planning an attack on the airbase. UK officials have said the investigation into the incidents is complex and are exploring multiple lines of inquiry, including potential foreign state involvement. Prime Minister Andy Burnham suggested last week that Iran had a role in the alleged plot, while Iran has denied involvement and summoned the UK ambassador in protest over the arrests. RAF Fairford, about 160km west of London, has been used as a staging point for US bombers participating in the campaign tied to the wider conflict that began on February 28. The base has hosted US forces in past Middle East operations and has been a focal point for both military activity and antiwar protests. The precise trigger for the US decision to redeploy the bombers has not been publicly disclosed.