US Decided To Pull B-1 Strategic Bombers From UK Base After Arrests Over Suspected Terror Plot
The US has withdrawn its B-1 bombers from RAF Fairford a week after arrests over a suspected terror plot against the base. The UK says Iran was likely involved, and Iran denies it.
The United States has withdrawn its B-1 bombers from RAF Fairford in the U.K. one week after several men were arrested at the base on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts, Defense News reported, citing Reuters. A Pentagon official made the disclosure on Oct. 4.
A dozen B-1 bombers were stationed at the air base, which lies northwest of London. The aircraft had been used in U.S. strikes on Iran.
A Pentagon spokesman said in an email that operational security had prevented the department from confirming the movement of its forces and assets as it happened. He said it could now acknowledge that all U.S. bombers deployed to RAF Fairford had returned to their home stations in the United States.
The British government had permitted the U.S. to fly strikes with the Fairford-based bombers against Iranian missile sites. Those sites had been attacking ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said on Sept. 30 that Britain had "strong indications" of Iranian involvement in a suspected plot aimed at the base. Iran called the accusations linking Tehran to the alleged plan baseless and summoned the British ambassador in Tehran over the matter.
U.S. President Donald Trump said the people behind the plot had intended to cause "big damage." U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also pointed to the "hands of a foreign actor."