The United States has withdrawn all B-1 bombers deployed at RAF Fairford in Britain, a week after several men were arrested near the air base on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts.
The Pentagon confirmed on October 4 that the bombers had returned to their home bases in the United States. About a dozen B-1 aircraft had been stationed at Fairford, which has been used to support US military operations against Iran.
The withdrawal followed growing security concerns around the base. British authorities have said there are strong indications that Iran may have been connected to the suspected plot, although Tehran has rejected the allegations as baseless.
Five British men arrested near the base have been released on bail, while another UK-Iranian national arrested separately has also been released. Police have not publicly established who was behind the alleged plot.
RAF Fairford is an important forward operating location for US heavy bombers in Europe. Its position gives American aircraft shorter flight times to the Middle East compared with launching missions from the continental United States.
The redeployment could therefore reduce Washington’s ability to quickly increase bomber operations against Iran, although the Pentagon said its bomber force remains capable of carrying out precision strikes globally.
The move also comes amid heightened tensions between Washington, London and Tehran over the use of British bases in US military operations against Iran.
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