The United States has withdrawn all of its B-1B Lancer bombers from a key British airbase following security concerns over a suspected Iran-linked plot to carry out a complex drone attack on the facility, US officials told Reuters.
The aircraft had been deployed at RAF Fairford, northwest of London, which serves as a preferred European operating base for US strategic bombers. The move comes amid heightened security concerns surrounding the facility.
Reuters reported that two US officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said a suspected plot involving Iran to target the base with drones prompted the decision to relocate the bombers. The officials did not provide details about the alleged operation or explain how the threat was identified. Iran has however, denied any involvement in the suspected plot.
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The development comes as British authorities continue to investigate the alleged threat. UK police said on Tuesday that they had arrested a 22-year-old British man in London on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts as part of the investigation.
The US military's European Command declined to comment directly on the reported security concerns.
"It is inappropriate to discuss matters of intelligence, and we will not discuss specific force protection measures," a spokesperson said.
The command also sought to underline that the withdrawal does not limit Washington's ability to conduct long-range military operations.
"As demonstrated across multiple operations, America's bombers, including B-1s, B-2s, and B-52s, can deliver precision global strike capabilities," the spokesperson said, adding that the aircraft can launch and recover from the continental United States and operate anywhere, anytime.
The Pentagon later confirmed that all US bombers deployed at RAF Fairford had returned to their home stations in the United States. It said the aircraft remained ready to conduct operations from there.
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The Wall Street Journal was the first to report the withdrawal, saying security concerns over suspected plots to attack the facility had prompted the decision. Before their departure, about a dozen B-1 bombers were stationed at RAF Fairford. The UK Ministry of Defence declined to comment on the reported movement.
The withdrawal has also raised questions about its implications for NATO's military posture in Europe. Wall Street reported that a senior NATO military official said the move would not affect the alliance's ability to respond to potential threats.
"NATO's defensive agility towards any aggression remains unchanged and unmatched thanks to the unity, strength, and combined capabilities of 32 nations," the official said.
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