US Withdraws Bombers from UK Base Amid Suspected Iran Terror Plot

US Vice President J.D. Vance expressed confidence that Iranians are attempting to engage in acts of terrorism against the United States.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on the same day that it is not unusual to see the movement of assets to different parts of the world and he wouldn't directly tie the aircraft movements to the suspected terror plot. The Pentagon confirmed on Sunday that all US B-1 bombers deployed to RAF Fairford have redeployed to their home stations in the United States.

This withdrawal follows the arrest of six individuals over the past week in connection with a suspected terror plot targeting the base. Five British men were arrested on September 27 near the base on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts, and a dual British-Iranian national was arrested on October 1 in central London. All arrestees have since been released on bail.

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated that any plot was likely backed by Iran, a claim Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called baseless. A NATO military source indicated on October 5 that Iran is still believed to pose an acute threat to US assets in the UK. RAF Fairford, located in Gloucestershire, is a key European base for US bombers and was recently used for defensive strikes against Iran.

The US Defense Department official noted that bombers routinely operate around the world to support global force readiness. Two US officials, speaking to The New York Times, said new warnings about an Iran-backed terror plot prompted the urgent withdrawal, with details emerging in the 24 hours prior. The withdrawal has also highlighted existing UK-US tensions regarding defense spending and the UK's refusal to allow offensive strikes on Iran from its bases.