US Withdraws Bombers From UK Base After Suspected Terror Plot

The United States has withdrawn all its deployed bombers from RAF Fairford in Britain following an investigation into a suspected terrorist plot targeting the air base.

A Pentagon spokesperson confirmed that the aircraft had returned to their home stations in the United States. RAF Fairford has played a major role in recent US operations against Iran and is one of the few European airfields capable of supporting American heavy bombers.

The withdrawal came about a week after British police arrested five men near the base on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts.

Police responded after witnesses reported seeing masked men running from three white vans near the installation. Officers searched the vehicles and recovered a quantity of petrol but found no explosive devices.

Authorities later arrested a sixth suspect, a 25-year-old dual British-Iranian national, in London. All six men have since been released on bail but remain under investigation.

British authorities are examining whether a foreign state played a role in the suspected plot. Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said there may have been an Iranian connection. However, investigators have not publicly established that Tehran directed the alleged operation.

Iran has denied any involvement.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had previously warned that it considered RAF Fairford a legitimate target because US aircraft used the base to carry out strikes against Iran.

RAF Fairford sits around 145 kilometers west of London. US forces have used the base during several major military campaigns, including the Gulf War and the 2003 invasion of Iraq. More recently, American bombers operating from Fairford struck Iranian missile sites during the ongoing conflict.

Despite the withdrawal, the Pentagon said its bomber force remains capable of conducting global strikes when required. A senior NATO official also said the move would not affect the alliance's defensive readiness.