Security concerns prompt Washington to withdraw B-1 bombers from Britain
Security concerns prompt Washington to withdraw B-1 bombers from Britain
2026-10-05
Shafaq News – Washington
On Sunday, US authorities announced that the United States had withdrawn all of its B-1 bombers from the Royal Air Force Fairford airbase, a decision stemming from security concerns over suspected terrorist plots against the facility.
According to the Wall Street Journal, this decision represents a shift for the United States, which used the military base, northwest of London, as a hub for launching airstrikes against Iran, and until its recent departure, twelve B-1 aircraft were stationed at the base.
A Pentagon statement said, “While operational security prevented us from confirming the movements of our assets and forces in real time, we can now confirm that all U.S. bombers that were deployed to RAF Fairford have been redeployed to their home bases in the United States,” adding that the bombers remain ready to provide global strike capabilities from the continental United States.
The British Ministry of Defence declined to comment, according to the newspaper, which added that the decision comes after the arrest of six suspects linked to a possible attack on the base, after US and British officials announced it had been thwarted last Sunday.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated that there were “strong indications” of Iranian involvement in the incident, which was shrouded in mystery after the UK released the suspects on bail but continued to investigate the circumstances of the case.
The Wall Street Journal reported that U.S. officials were aware of an Iran-linked plot to attack a bomber and kill personnel at the base.
A senior US official stated that a branch of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard recruited British citizens to carry out the scheme, which included several steps, among them a disinformation operation in the neighboring district.
shafaq.com
