Report: Iran Allegedly Plotted ‘Spider Web’ Attack on U.S. Bombers; Trump Says ‘The Cost Is Negligible’

The U.S. decision to urgently evacuate all 12 B-1 bombers from RAF Fairford in Britain came in response to intelligence about a complex Iranian drone attack plan, U.S. media outlets reported overnight Tuesday into Wednesday. The alleged plot, attributed to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, was reportedly intended to strike the aircraft and kill American military personnel serving at the base.

American and British officials told The New York Times that new intelligence received over the weekend significantly increased the sense of urgency. The evacuation was carried out at unusual speed: some of the bombers and their crews had already departed for the United States while the refueling planes meant to assist them on the long flight were still preparing for the mission.

Officials believe the Iranian plan drew inspiration from Ukraine’s ‘Spider Web’ operation, in which drones were smuggled deep into Russia and launched from trucks toward airstrips in Siberia and the Far North. About 10 aircraft were damaged in that operation, including bombers with nuclear capabilities.

President Donald Trump confirmed that there was intelligence about the threat. “There were some threats,” he said, adding: “Why would we leave them there?” His vice president, J.D. Vance, said: “We believe the Iranians are trying to do what they have done for 49 years — terrorism against the United States. And we are taking extra precautions.”

Trump later addressed rising fuel prices following the war: “It’s a little high. It’s a negligible price to pay to keep the world safe, to keep our country safe.” He added: “They can wipe out a city. They could take Los Angeles; they could take San Diego. It’s a very negligible price to pay.” According to him, the war “will end very soon” and is “actually almost over.”

RAF Fairford, in western England, is used by the U.S. Air Force, and during the war, bombers took off from the base for missions against targets in Iran. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had previously called it a “legitimate target.”

The evacuation came about a week after five men in three white vans were arrested near the base on September 27. Eighty-five homes were evacuated and a bomb-disposal robot was deployed, but no explosives were found. The five were released on bail, and the investigation is continuing. Days later, a 25-year-old British-Iranian citizen was arrested in London on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts connected to events around the base.