Developing
Pentagon withdraws all bombers from UK's RAF Fairford after suspected terror plot
Version 2: Coverage added a CBS News report that the withdrawal followed new threats of an Iran-backed attack, as reported by the New York Times, and a later CBS report that the Air Force rushed to withdraw all twelve B-1 bombers.
In short
The Pentagon said all U.S. bombers deployed to Royal Air Force Fairford in England have returned to their home stations in the United States, after a suspected terror plot against the base; the New York Times reported the withdrawal followed new threats of an Iran-based plot. Five British nationals were arrested near the base on Sept. 27 and later released on bail, and a 25-year-old dual British-Iranian national arrested in London was also released on bail; six people in total were taken into custody and released. British authorities have linked the incident to Tehran, while Iran denies involvement.
Why it matters
RAF Fairford has been used by American bombers to strike Iran, so the withdrawal removes a forward base used for long-range missions while President Donald Trump says he is weighing options including new strikes. The episode also puts U.S.-British counter-terrorism cooperation and the state of the Iran campaign in focus. The documents give no indication that strike operations have stopped.
Key facts
- The Pentagon said all U.S. bombers deployed to RAF Fairford have redeployed to their home stations in the United States. [ 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 12 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ]
- Reports put the number of B-1 bombers withdrawn at 12, with NBC News saying at least 12 left and that several had just arrived on a rotation. [ 2 , 8 , 9 , 12 , 14 , 17 ]
- On Sept. 27, five British nationals in their 20s, from London, were arrested on suspicion of explosives and terror offences near RAF Fairford; police said gasoline was found in three vans linked to the suspects but no explosives. [ 7 ]
- A 25-year-old dual British-Iranian national was arrested in central London and released on bail; six people in total were taken into custody and released on bail during the investigation. [ 5 , 7 , 9 , 14 ]
- British authorities have linked the incident to Tehran, and Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the UK government believes Iran played a part; Iran has denied involvement. [ 5 , 8 , 9 , 14 ]
- President Donald Trump told reporters on Saturday that he still has decisions to make on Iran, saying it will be either the easy way or the hard way. [ 5 , 9 ]
- RAF Fairford is about 100 miles west of London and has been used by American bombers during decades of conflicts in the Middle East, including the war against Iran. [ 5 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 12 , 14 ]
- Aviation watchers observed B-1 bombers flying out of RAF Fairford on Sunday, and flight trackers spotted multiple departures Sunday morning. [ 5 , 9 , 14 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- The Pentagon said all U.S. bombers deployed to RAF Fairford have been redeployed to their home stations in the United States. [ 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 12 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ]
- The withdrawal followed a security incident and a suspected terror plot against the base. [ 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 12 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ]
- Six people were taken into custody during the investigation and released on bail. [ 5 , 7 , 9 , 14 ]
- Iran has denied involvement in the suspected plot. [ 5 , 8 , 9 , 14 ]
- British authorities have linked the incident to Tehran. [ 5 , 8 , 9 , 14 ]
- RAF Fairford has been used by the U.S. military to launch long-range bombing missions against Iran. [ 5 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 12 , 14 , 17 ]
Still unclear
- Whether Iran directed or backed the suspected plot. Iran denies involvement; a senior U.S. official told the Wall Street Journal that Iran backed the plot and that the suspects were recruited by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel gave the UK intelligence pointing to an Iranian threat, according to Axios. These are attributed claims, not confirmed findings.
- What exactly prompted the speed of the withdrawal. The Hill reported officials did not reveal what prompted the rushed withdrawal; the New York Times said U.S. officials cited threats of an Iran-based plot, and CBS News reported new threats of an Iran-backed attack, without naming the officials.
- The precise number of bombers removed. Most outlets say 12 B-1s; NBC News said at least 12, including several that had just arrived on a rotation.
- When the five arrested men were released on bail. The New York Post said they were let go on Monday, while other outlets said only that they had been released on bail.
- The identities of the men arrested. Authorities have not released the names of any of the men arrested, according to The Hill.
What local media are saying
Business mediaAll documents are from business-type outlets. They largely track the same Pentagon statement that every U.S. bomber at RAF Fairford has returned home, while varying in emphasis: the Wall Street Journal first reported the return, the New York Times and CBS News highlighted new threats of an Iran-based or Iran-backed attack and the unusual speed, Axios added an Israeli intelligence claim, and the New York Post carried sharper language and the Iranian embassy denial. They emphasise the security incident, the arrests and bail releases, the number of B-1s and the base’s role in strikes on Iran.
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Timeline, local time
- Five British nationals in their 20s, from London, are arrested on suspicion of explosives and terror offences near RAF Fairford; police say gasoline was found in three vans but no explosives. [ 7 ]
- A 25-year-old dual British-Iranian national is taken into custody in central London on suspicion of plotting a terror attack. [ 5 , 7 , 9 , 14 ]
- Counter Terrorism Policing announces the dual national has been released on bail; President Donald Trump tells reporters he still has decisions to make on Iran, saying it will be either the easy way or the hard way. [ 5 , 7 , 9 , 14 ]
- Flight trackers and aviation watchers spot multiple B-1 bombers departing RAF Fairford. [ 5 , 9 , 14 ]
- The Wall Street Journal is first to report the bombers' return to the United States. [ 1 , 7 ]
- The New York Times reports the withdrawal came with unusual speed after what U.S. officials said were threats of an Iran-based plot, with all 12 B-1s moved. [ 2 ]
- A Pentagon spokesperson confirms to CBS News that all bombers deployed to RAF Fairford have returned to their home stations. [ 7 ]
- Axios reports the Pentagon statement and says Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel gave the UK intelligence pointing to a threat of an Iranian attack. [ 12 ]
- CBS News reports the U.S. Air Force rushed to withdraw all twelve B-1 bombers, following what the New York Times reports as new threats of an Iran-backed attack. [ 17 ]