US withdraws bombers from RAF Fairford after suspected terror plot

The US Air Force has withdrawn all bombers from RAF Fairford in Britain after an investigation into an alleged terror plot targeting the base.

The aircraft were redeployed to their home bases in the United States, a Pentagon official said anonymously. A department spokesperson later confirmed that every bomber deployed to Fairford had returned to its main station.

At least 10 of the 12 B-1 bombers flew out of Fairford on Sunday. Some had arrived less than a week earlier as part of a routine rotation.

Fresh information about the threat

US media reported that the decision may have followed new or renewed concerns about security at the base. The New York Times said officials did not disclose the specific information involved, but the urgency of the assessment increased sharply during the preceding 24 hours.

A dual British-Iranian national was arrested in central London last week on suspicion of plotting a terror attack. The arrest followed a security incident at RAF Fairford in late September. Six people have been detained and later released on bail during the investigation.

British authorities have linked the incident to Tehran, while Iran has denied involvement. The UK Ministry of Defence did not immediately comment.

RAF Fairford is about 100 miles (160km) west of London. American bombers have used the base during decades of Middle East operations; in recent months, this followed permission from then-prime minister Keir Starmer for “defensive” strikes against Iran.

The US continues to maintain a substantial military presence in the Middle East. A US official said the USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier and the USS Makin Island amphibious readiness group were heading to the region; together, they carry more than 7,000 sailors and 2,000 Marines.