The United States has withdrawn its squadron of B-1 bombers from England following reports that British authorities foiled what might have been a terror plot targeting the base.
The move to abandon the Royal Air Force base at Fairford came after police arrested five men on suspicion of “committing offenses under the Explosives Act” and “preparation of a terrorist act.” The suspects were British nationals in their early 20s.
U.S. officials stated that the withdrawal followed last week’s final movement of forces out of Iraq, which marked the end of American military presence after 23 years.
At least three B-1 bombers had departed for home bases in South Dakota by Sunday, with some crews leaving while aerial refueling aircraft were still scrambling to support their flights. This rapid action was described as highly unusual because such withdrawals from allied air bases in peacetime countries thousands of miles from combat zones are rarely executed so quickly.
The base has been used by the U.S. since 1944 and features a nearly 10,000-foot runway for heavy bombers like the B-1 Lancer. Police found gasoline but no bombs in intercepted vehicles. A dual British-Iranian national arrested by police was released on bail.
Iran’s embassy in London stated it “categorically rejects and strongly condemns” any speculation linking Iran to the incident.
U.S. intelligence agencies reportedly warned of a potential Iran-backed attack on RAF Fairford, with Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, also noting that his intelligence officials had raised concerns about an Iranian-sponsored plot.
