US pulls B-1 bombers from UK base after alleged Iran plot

All U.S. bombers based at RAF Fairford in England have been sent home, the Pentagon confirmed on Sunday. American officials said the decision followed security concerns over suspected terror plots against the base, which the U.S. had used as a hub for bomber strikes on Iran. The Wall Street Journal News Corp ↗ 1.11% first reported the withdrawal. Until the bombers left recently, a dozen B-1 bombers had been stationed at the Gloucestershire base northwest of London.jpost+1

The move means any further U.S. bomber missions against Iran will probably be flown from American soil rather than a forward base in Europe.investinglive

Pentagon says strike capability remains

A Defense Department spokesperson said the department could not confirm force movements as they happened, citing operational security. The spokesperson said all bombers deployed to Fairford had returned to their home stations in the United States. According to the statement, B-1, B-2 and B-52 crews remain ready to carry out precision strikes anywhere in the world, including on missions that take off from and return to the continental U.S.. Britain's Ministry of Defence declined to comment.ua+1

Alleged plot against the base

The withdrawal comes about a week after five young British men were arrested near Fairford on the morning of Sept. 27. They were held on suspicion of preparing an act of terrorism and on explosives offenses. Police later arrested a sixth man, who holds British and Iranian citizenship, in central London. All six suspects have been released on bail, and the investigation is continuing.ua+2

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said there were "strong indications" of possible Iranian involvement. British police said they are looking into whether a foreign state was involved but have not publicly concluded that Iran was behind the plot.jpost+1

The Journal reported that U.S. intelligence officials knew of an Iran-linked plan to attack the bombers and kill personnel at Fairford. A senior U.S. official told the paper that a branch of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had recruited British nationals. The plan reportedly had several steps, including a diversion in the surrounding area.investinglive+1

Differing assessments

British officials have been more cautious than their American counterparts. Some have questioned how sophisticated the planned attack was, and British authorities are still trying to establish exactly what happened. That leaves open questions about how directly Iran was involved and how far the plot had progressed.investinglive

Fairford's role changes as Washington and Tehran pursue negotiations, including talks over a proposal on the Strait of Hormuz. According to the Journal, the withdrawal marks a shift for the U.S., which had relied on the base as a launch point for operations against Iran.politicalwire+2