US Pulls All Bombers From RAF Fairford After Suspected Iran-Linked Terror Plot

The US Air Force has withdrawn all bombers deployed at RAF Fairford in England, sending the aircraft back to their home bases in the United States, amid a British investigation into a suspected terror plot targeting the US-run base used for operations against Iran.

A Pentagon official said the bombers had been redeployed to the US, with aviation trackers observing B-1 bombers leaving RAF Fairford on Sunday. The aircraft deployed to the base included B-1, B-2 and B-52 bombers, according to Sky News. The Pentagon said the bomber force remained ready to conduct precision global strike missions from the continental United States or other locations.

The withdrawal came a week after British counterterrorism police arrested five men near RAF Fairford on September 27 over suspected explosives and terrorism offences. Police were alerted after three large white vans were found near the base and a group of hooded or masked men were seen fleeing the area. A search of the vehicles found a quantity of petrol but no explosive devices. All five suspects were subsequently released on bail and remain under investigation.

A sixth suspect, a 25-year-old dual British-Iranian national, was arrested in Westminster, London, on October 1 on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts. Police searched two properties in the area before releasing him on bail. British counterterrorism officials have said they are examining multiple lines of inquiry, including possible foreign-state involvement.

British authorities have indicated there may be an Iranian connection to the suspected plot. Prime Minister Andy Burnham said there were “strong indications” Iran played a part, while Iran has rejected the allegations as baseless. Reuters reported that Iran's Revolutionary Guards had identified RAF Fairford as a potential target in July, after warning that bases used to launch attacks against Iran could be legitimate targets.

The Pentagon has not publicly said that the bomber withdrawal was solely because of the suspected plot. Reuters reported that ongoing threats from Iran were also a factor, while the aircraft could potentially be redeployed to other locations, including Diego Garcia or bases in the Gulf, depending on logistics and security considerations.

RAF Fairford has been used by US bombers during several Middle East conflicts and became a key operating location during the current war with Iran. Britain had authorised the US to use the base for defensive strikes against Iranian missile sites attacking ships in the Strait of Hormuz.

The withdrawal comes as President Donald Trump weighs further military action against Iran. “Iran's been decimated. So the only question is, it'll either be the easy way, or the hard way,” Trump said on Saturday.