US withdraws all 12 B-1 bombers from UK base after new Iran-linked threat reports
Version 2: Two more Japanese outlets report President Trump referring to a sensed threat behind the withdrawal from the UK base; no new details emerged on the content of the threat or on the investigation.
In short
The US military withdrew all 12 B-1 strategic bombers based at Royal Air Force Fairford in southern England and returned them to the United States, US media reported on October 4 and the Pentagon confirmed. The New York Times, citing anonymous US officials, linked the move to new information about an Iran-linked plan targeting the base, the content of which was not disclosed. Five men were arrested near the base on September 27 on suspicion of preparing acts of terrorism, and UK Prime Minister Burnham has spoken of “strong indications” of Iranian involvement, which Iran denies.
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The US military withdrew all 12 B-1 strategic bombers stationed at Royal Air Force Fairford in southern England and returned them to the United States, US media reported on October 4. The Pentagon confirmed the reports, according to NHK and the Yahoo! News Japan roundup. Nikkei, TBS, Sankei, Tokyo Shimbun, Mainichi, Nippon TV, Asahi, Yomiuri and TBS again all reported the figure of 12 aircraft; Yomiuri placed the base in Gloucestershire. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 ]
The New York Times, citing anonymous US officials, reported that the move followed new information about an Iran-linked plan targeting the base. TBS, citing Bloomberg, said the withdrawal was carried out at unusual speed, and Sankei reported that refueling aircraft were also scrambled because of the haste. Mainichi, citing a senior US official, reported that threat information had existed for about three weeks but that urgency rose rapidly once the details became clear. Sankei and Asahi said the content of the new information has not been disclosed. At least three of the 12 bombers had returned to the US by October 4, including to a base in South Dakota, according to Sankei and Mainichi. [ 2 , 4 , 7 , 9 ]
Fairford has long served as a US Air Force hub and was used for the strikes on Iran that began in February, Asahi reported. Sankei said the base was a launch point for attacks on missile bases Iran uses to strike ships in the Strait of Hormuz. [ 4 , 9 ]
On September 27, five men were arrested near the base on suspicion of preparing acts of terrorism and were later released on bail, according to Mainichi, Asahi and Yomiuri. Asahi reported that the investigation continued after their release and that one more person was arrested on October 1. The Yahoo! News Japan roundup, citing FNN, reported the further arrest of a 27-year-old British-Iranian dual national and said residents near the base had been evacuated after a suspicious incident late last month. [ 6 , 7 , 9 , 12 ]
Iran denies involvement, while UK Prime Minister Burnham told British media on September 30 that there were “strong indications” of Iranian involvement, Mainichi and Asahi reported. Sankei noted that if it were confirmed that Iran is considering attacks on Britain, it would indicate a further increase in the degree of retaliation against the United States. Mainichi said it is unclear whether the withdrawal of the bombers is connected to the September 27 case. [ 7 , 9 , 12 ]
Tokyo Shimbun, Nishi-Nippon Shimbun and a headline carried by Tokyo Shimbun report that President Trump said a “threat” was detected and that US aircraft were withdrawn from the UK base; those reports carried no further detail. The Yahoo! News Japan roundup separately noted that Trump has raised suspicion of Iranian involvement. [ 5 , 6 , 13 , 14 ]
Why it matters
Fairford has been a staging point for US strikes on Iran, so removing its bombers under a fresh threat indicates how exposed the base and its aircraft are considered to be. Sankei reported that if it were confirmed Iran is considering attacks on Britain, it would signal a further increase in retaliation against the United States. The episode ties a British terrorism investigation and the US-Iran conflict into one security decision, which is why it draws attention well beyond Japan.
Key facts
- The US military withdrew all 12 B-1 strategic bombers deployed at Royal Air Force Fairford in southern England and returned them to the United States. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 ]
- US media, citing officials, attributed the withdrawal to new information about an Iran-linked plan targeting the base. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 7 , 9 , 10 , 12 ]
- At least three of the 12 bombers had returned to the US by October 4, including to a base in South Dakota. [ 4 , 7 ]
- Five men were arrested near the base on September 27 on suspicion of preparing acts of terrorism and were later released on bail. [ 7 , 9 , 12 ]
- UK Prime Minister Burnham said on September 30 that there were “strong indications” of Iranian involvement; Iran denies involvement. [ 7 , 9 , 12 ]
- The content of the new information that prompted the withdrawal has not been disclosed. [ 4 , 9 ]
- Mainichi reported that it is unclear whether the withdrawal is connected to the September 27 arrests. [ 7 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- The US military withdrew all 12 B-1 bombers from Royal Air Force Fairford and returned them to the United States, and the Pentagon confirmed the reports of the withdrawal. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 ]
- US media, citing officials, attributed the withdrawal to a new Iran-linked threat or attack plan against the base. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 7 , 9 , 10 , 12 ]
- At least three of the 12 aircraft had returned to the US by October 4, including to a base in South Dakota. [ 4 , 7 ]
- Five men were arrested near the base on September 27 on suspicion of preparing acts of terrorism, and were later released on bail. [ 7 , 9 , 12 ]
- UK Prime Minister Burnham said on September 30 that there were strong indications of Iranian involvement; Iran denies involvement. [ 7 , 9 , 12 ]
Still unclear
- The content of the new information that triggered the withdrawal Sankei and Asahi say the details of the new plan are not known, and the New York Times did not disclose them.
- Whether the withdrawal is connected to the September 27 arrests near the base Mainichi states explicitly that it is unclear whether the two are related.
- Iran’s role in the alleged plot Iran denies involvement and no document reports confirmation; the British prime minister spoke only of “strong indications”.
- Where all 12 bombers were sent Only the return of at least three aircraft to the US, including South Dakota, is documented; the documents do not describe the rest.
- The further arrest reported after the September 27 detentions Asahi reports one more arrest on October 1, and the Yahoo! News Japan roundup, citing FNN, reports a 27-year-old British-Iranian dual national arrested; no other document carries this.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Five men are arrested near Fairford air base on suspicion of preparing acts of terrorism; they are later released on bail. [ 7 , 9 , 12 ]
- UK Prime Minister Burnham tells British media there are “strong indications” of Iranian involvement. [ 7 , 9 , 12 ]
- One more person is arrested as the investigation continues. [ 9 ]
- US media report the withdrawal; at least three of the 12 bombers have returned to the US, including to a base in South Dakota, and the Pentagon confirms the reports. [ 4 , 6 , 7 , 9 ]
- Nikkei reports the withdrawal, citing US media and defense officials. [ 1 ]