US military withdrew 12 B-1 bombers from RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire after new threats about an Iran-backed plot, according to US and British officials. The rapid redeployment followed urgent warnings from intelligence agencies, prompting immediate security measures at the base.
The withdrawal came as part of a broader security response to concerns about a potential attack on the base, which has been used by US bombers in operations against Iran. US officials confirmed the move, while British authorities confirmed the base's safety, though no additional threats were reported.
The incident highlights ongoing tensions between the US and Iran, with both sides accusing each other of involvement in a potential plot. The base has been under heightened security since July, when Iran's Revolutionary Guards warned it was a legitimate target. No explosives were found in recent searches, but investigations continue.
Differences in reporting exist regarding the nature of the threats and the exact timeline of events, with US officials declining to specify the details of the new warnings that prompted the rapid withdrawal of the bombers.