The US military has withdrawn all of its B-1 bombers from RAF Fairford as security concerns intensify following a suspected terrorist plot near the Gloucestershire air base.
At least 12 American bombers had been deployed at the base before the Pentagon ordered them to return to their home stations in the United States on Sunday.
Several of the aircraft had arrived only days earlier. RAF Fairford had been identified as a preferred launch point for potential US bomber operations against Iran, making the sudden departure of the planes especially striking.
US officials did not directly confirm that the suspected plot prompted the withdrawal. However, the decision came days after three vehicles were reported near RAF Fairford under suspicious circumstances.
Five British men, aged between 23 and 25, were first detained on suspicion of explosives-related offences before being questioned over the alleged preparation of a terrorist act. All five have since been released on bail.
A 25-year-old British-Iranian man was later arrested in London on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act. He was also released on bail as counterterrorism officers continue their investigation.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said there were “strong indications” of Iranian involvement, although he did not provide further details. Iran has rejected any connection to the alleged plot.
The investigation took an unexpected turn when one of the suspects reportedly contacted police himself, helping bring the alleged plot to the attention of authorities.
A Rockwell B-1 Lancer heavy bomber takes off from RAF Fairford on Sunday after the US military ordered all of its aircraft back to their home stations
Police arrested five British men in their 20s near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire over suspected terrorism offences. All of them, reportedly from London, have since been released on bail
Police said on Tuesday that no improvised explosive devices were found in the three vans linked to the alleged plot. Counter Terrorism Policing chief Laurence Taylor said officers did recover a quantity of gasoline
Following the emergency call, armed officers were sent to the Gloucestershire site. The suspects were detained and their clothing removed amid concerns they could be wearing explosive suicide vests.
Sources in Whitehall did not challenge reports that the US bomber withdrawal was linked to the incident, according to the BBC.
The move is understood to have been driven by military and security considerations rather than political concerns, possibly reflecting newly elevated risks at the air base.
A US official told the New York Times that the decision may have followed the same warnings issued three weeks earlier. However, more specific information and a sharp increase in urgency during the previous 24 hours reportedly alarmed military commanders.
The Pentagon said on Sunday that operational security prevented it from confirming troop and aircraft movements in real time. It added that all US bombers deployed to RAF Fairford had now returned to their bases in the United States.
The Pentagon also said aircrews operating the US bomber fleet, including B-1, B-2 and B-52 aircraft, remained prepared to carry out precision global strike missions. Those operations can be launched and recovered from bases in the continental US “anywhere, anytime.”
Police confirmed on Tuesday that searches of the three vans connected to the alleged terror investigation found no improvised explosive devices.
Laurence Taylor, the head of Counter Terrorism Policing, said officers did discover a quantity of gasoline inside the vehicles.
Authorities have not explained why one of the suspects decided to call the police.
The US Secretary of State said last Tuesday that the suspected terrorist plot ‘clearly involves the hand of a foreign actor’.
Marco Rubio stopped short of directly blaming Iran – but noted the regime had ‘openly threatened to attack US interests globally’.
US officials were aware of an attack linked to Iran that involved a bomber aircraft being targeted.
They were also notified of a plot to kill personnel on the base, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal.
In July, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued a chilling warning that any UK base used to strike Tehran was a ‘legitimate target’.
