The U.S. military has withdrawn all B-1 bombers from the UK's RAF Fairford base, a key European hub for heavy bombers, following an alleged terror threat linked to a suspected Iranian plot. The move comes weeks after five men were arrested near the base on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts.
The Pentagon confirmed the removal of the 12 B-1 bombers to U.S. bases, citing security concerns tied to the suspected plot. British police arrested five men in their 20s after they were seen running from vans near the base, with no explosives found but petrol detected. A sixth individual, a dual UK-Iranian national, was also released on bail.
The U.S. military emphasized that its bomber force remains ready for global strike operations, while NATO reaffirmed its defensive readiness. Iran dismissed the accusations, with its foreign minister calling the claims 'baseless' and suggesting the arrests were 'barking up the wrong tree'.
The incident has raised questions about the security of the base, which has historically been used for U.S. operations in the Middle East, including strikes on Iranian missile sites. The U.S. and UK have not provided detailed insights into the alleged threat, with the UK's defense ministry declining to comment on the plane movements.