Security

US withdraws B-1 bombers from UK’s Fairford base amid Iran fears

AI SUMMARY

The United States has abruptly withdrawn its B-1 bombers from the RAF Fairford base in the UK following security concerns and potential attack plots.

The United States has withdrawn all of its B-1 bombers from the UK’s RAF Fairford base.
Roughly a dozen aircraft were stationed at the base prior to the abrupt redeployment.
The Pentagon confirmed the bombers have returned to their home stations in the United States.
RAF Fairford is located approximately 160km west of London and has served as a stopping point for US bombers in the war on Iran.
The withdrawal follows recent arrests in the UK, including five men on September 27 and a 25-year-old dual national on Thursday, over alleged plots targeting the base.
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham suggested Iran played a part in the alleged plot, a claim denied by Tehran.
Iran summoned the UK ambassador to Tehran in protest of the arrests.