The United States has withdrawn its B-1 bombers from a British air base, a week after five men were arrested nearby on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts in what British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said was likely an Iran-backed plot.
The bombers had been stationed at RAF Fairford, the US Air Force’s preferred European base for heavy bombers, about 145 km west of London. The base had recently been used for US strikes on Iran.
A Pentagon official said on Sunday that the aircraft had returned to their home bases in the United States.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said in late July that RAF Fairford was a legitimate target. A NATO military source said on Monday that Iran was still believed to pose an acute threat to US assets in Britain.
The five men arrested by British police have since been released on bail, while the investigation remains largely unexplained. A sixth man, a dual British-Iranian national arrested on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts, has also been released on bail.
Iran has denied any involvement in the alleged plot. Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi wrote on X that releasing people suspected of terrorism who were allegedly working for foreign states “really says it all”, adding that Britain was “barking up the wrong tree”.
RAF Fairford is one of the few US Air Force bases in Europe capable of hosting heavy bombers and has historically played a key role in US military operations in the Middle East, although the bombers are not permanently based there.
During the current conflict, the US had permission to use Fairford only for strikes on Iranian missile sites targeting ships in the Strait of Hormuz, known as defensive strikes. Britain had refused permission for the US to use its bases for offensive strikes against Iran.
The arrangement has strained ties between Washington and London, traditionally close allies.
The Pentagon confirmed that all US bombers deployed to Fairford had returned to their home stations in the United States, while saying its bomber force remained ready to provide precision global strike capabilities “anywhere, anytime”.
The New York Times, citing two US officials, reported that the bombers were moved over the weekend after commanders received new threats related to an Iran-backed plot. Some aircraft reportedly departed while aerial refuelling aircraft were still being mobilised.
A US official declined to comment, while the British government also declined to comment.
Christoph Bergs, a research analyst at the Royal United Services Institute, said the redeployment would temporarily reduce the US ability to quickly increase bombing sorties against Iran.
However, he noted that London’s restrictions had already limited the use of Fairford. The aircraft could potentially be deployed to Diego Garcia or bases in the Gulf, although that would depend on available capacity, negotiations with allies and security considerations.
In the early hours of September 27, five British men in their 20s were arrested after they were seen running into fields from three white vans parked near the base. Police said they found no explosives but recovered a quantity of petrol.
US President Donald Trump said at the time that those involved had planned to cause “big damage” and suggested the plot might have been connected to Iran. He also said he would not have released the suspects on bail.
A senior NATO military official said the withdrawal of the bombers would not affect the alliance’s overall capabilities.
“The NATO defensive agility towards any aggression remains unchanged and unmatched thanks to the unity, strength, and combined capabilities of 32 nations,” the official said.
The Wall Street Journal first reported the withdrawal of the US bombers.