Key facts
- All U.S. bombers deployed to RAF Fairford have redeployed to their home stations in the United States, the Pentagon confirmed Sunday.
- The withdrawal follows a security incident near the base, which has been used for strikes against Iran.
- Five British nationals were arrested near the base on Sept. 27 on suspicion of explosives and terror offenses but have since been released on bail.
- A 25-year-old British-Iranian man was arrested in London on Thursday on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts and has also been released on bail.
- British authorities are investigating suspicious activity near the base, including reports of vans with barrels and a quantity of gasoline.
- The U.K. government believes Iran played a part in the incident, according to U.K. Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
The Pentagon confirmed Sunday that all U.S. bombers deployed to RAF Fairford in the United Kingdom have been returned to their home stations in the United States. The redeployment comes amid an ongoing investigation into suspicious activity near the airbase, which has been used by American bombers for strikes against Iran.
In a statement, the Pentagon acknowledged that operational security had precluded real-time confirmation of the movement of assets and forces. It emphasized that U.S. bomber forces remain ready to conduct strikes worldwide. The statement did not specify when the bombers were moved or provide a concrete reason for the action.
The withdrawal follows a series of arrests. On September 27, five British nationals were arrested near RAF Fairford on suspicion of explosives and terror offenses. Police found a quantity of gasoline in three vans linked to the suspects but no explosives. These individuals have since been released on bail but remain under investigation.
Additionally, a 25-year-old British-Iranian man was arrested in London on Thursday on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts. He was also released on bail.
U.K. Prime Minister Andy Burnham has stated that the British government believes Iran played a part in the incident, a claim that Iran's embassy in London has categorically rejected and condemned as unfounded speculation. U.S. President Donald Trump commented on the release of the suspects on bail, stating, "I wouldn't have done that," while Secretary of State Marco Rubio alleged a "foreign actor" was involved.