The United States moved a fleet of B-1 bombers out of a British air base over the weekend after an alleged Iranian drone attack raised concerns, according to multiple reports.
The suspected plot was reportedly organized by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and aimed at destroying US aircraft and killing American service members stationed at RAF Fairford, a military facility roughly 90 miles west of London. The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times reported the details on Monday.
US officials described the potential assault as a “complex, multipronged” operation.
Some officials believe the plan may have drawn inspiration from Ukrainian drone attacks carried out inside Russian territory last year against military airfields and Moscow’s nuclear-capable bombers.
Ukraine’s June 2025 offensive, known as Operation Spider Web, involved explosives-laden drones concealed inside sheds transported by semi-trucks. The operation struck five Russian air bases across five separate regions.
The 12 B-1 Air Force bombers were redeployed to the United States days after British authorities said they had disrupted an alleged terror plot targeting RAF Fairford.
Police said five suspects, all identified as British nationals, appeared to be planning a van bombing at the airfield.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said there were “strong indications” that the Iranian government had been involved in the initial plot, which was believed to have targeted Fairford because the US bombers were stationed there.
Vice President JD Vance said Monday that the bombers had been removed from the base “out of an abundance of caution.”
“We do feel with some confidence that the Iranians are trying to do what the Iranian state has done for 49 years, which is engage in acts of terrorism against the United States and against a lot of other people as well,” Vance told reporters. “We are being extremely cautious.”
President Trump also indicated that US intelligence had identified a possible Iranian threat to the base.
“We had an idea that there might be a threat, so why would I leave them there?” he told reporters.
