RAF Fairford: US Pulls All 12 B-1 Bombers Over Iran Plot

The United States has pulled all 12 B-1 bombers out of RAF Fairford, the British airfield used by American forces. The withdrawal followed warnings from American officials of a possible Iranian plot against the aircraft and the several hundred US personnel stationed there. Israel, meanwhile, cautioned Germany that American bases on German soil, particularly Spangdahlem and Ramstein, were at heightened risk, a senior US official told The New York Times.

The Wall Street Journal reported that the concern centered on a possible drone strike ordered by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The strike was reportedly one element of a broader scheme aimed at the Lancers and the airmen who fly them.

Two US officials told The New York Times that commanders moved within roughly 24 hours of receiving new information that built on earlier warnings. Some of the bombers were already airborne while the tanker aircraft needed to refuel them over the Atlantic were still being rushed into position. The Pentagon confirmed that every bomber has returned to its home station in the United States. The Pentagon also stated that bomber crews remain ready to fly global strike missions from the continental US.

President Donald Trump confirmed on Monday that the threat drove the decision. "Yeah, I think we can say that. They didn't fly out by accident. There were some threats. And rather than tempting the enemy, we'll capture the enemy and beat the enemy," Trump said. He added that Washington "actually knows the people that made the threat" but did not identify them.

Vice President JD Vance stated that the aircraft were relocated "out of an abundance of caution trying to protect our guys." He also pointed at Tehran. "We do feel with some confidence that the Iranians are trying to do what the Iranian state has done for 49 years, which is engage in acts of terrorism against the United States and against a lot of other people as well," Vance said.

Trump with Vice President Vance in the White House Situation Room (Photo: The White House)

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the case "clearly involves the hands of a foreign actor." He played down the pullout itself, describing the movement of assets for exercises and redeployments as routine.

The move caused confusion in London, where officials had received little advance word from Washington. British officials are concerned that Iran and Russia could turn to criminal proxies to disrupt Western military operations. They maintain, however, that Fairford is highly secure and that a successful attack is unlikely. British Defense Secretary Wes Streeting said Britain has "tried and tested approaches to defend our bases around the country and throughout the world." Greg Bagwell, a former RAF commander, warned that the move was "very damaging" to how the security of British bases is perceived.

The withdrawal came after a counterterrorism operation near the base on September 27. Police arrested five British men aged 23 to 25 after three vehicles were reported close to the perimeter. About 85 nearby homes were evacuated while bomb-disposal teams examined the vans. Officers found petrol but no explosives. Police later detained a sixth suspect in London, a 25-year-old who holds both British and Iranian citizenship, on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts. All six are out on bail, and none has been charged. Investigators are looking into possible foreign-state involvement and have reportedly considered whether the vans were intended as a diversion.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has cited "strong indications" that Iran was involved. Tehran denies any role and summoned the British ambassador over the accusation. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has also rejected any connection to the case. In July, after Fairford was used for US strikes on Iranian missile sites, the IRGC declared the base a legitimate target.

The bomber deployment began in early March during Operation Epic Fury. At its peak, open-source trackers counted about 18 B-1Bs and half a dozen B-52Hs at Fairford. The B-52s departed months ago. After a fragile truce with Iran took hold in April, the Lancers that stayed behind were used largely for training flights. As JFeed reported in July, Burnham authorized the US military to use British bases for defensive strikes against Iran within hours of taking office.