US Pulls B-1 Bombers From RAF Fairford After Suspected Iran Plot

US Pulls B-1 Bombers From RAF Fairford After Suspected Iran Plot

The United States has moved its B-1 bombers out of RAF Fairford in Britain after a suspected Iranian plot at the airbase, with Vice President JD Vance describing the decision as an abundance of caution.

The B-1 bombers RAF Fairford deployment ended days after five British men were arrested near the base on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards had previously described the airbase as a legitimate target.

Vance cites caution; Rubio sees no direct link

Speaking on Monday as he left Washington for Alaska, Vance said the Secretary of War had acted to protect American personnel. “So, what you saw there is the Secretary of War, out of an abundance of caution, trying to protect our guys,” he said.

Vance added that Washington believed with some confidence that Iran was engaged in acts of terrorism against the United States and others, and that the administration was being extremely cautious.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio struck a different note, saying there was no direct link between the bombers’ sudden removal and the suspected plot. The Pentagon, he said, was constantly reallocating resources where they were needed. A NATO military source said on Monday it was still believed that Iran posed an acute threat to US assets in the UK.

Arrests near the base

The five men were arrested last week near RAF Fairford, 90 miles (145 km) west of London. Much about the incident remains unexplained. British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said any plot was likely backed by Iran.

Tehran has dismissed the accusations as baseless. Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi wrote on X that releasing “supposed terrorists working for foreign states really says it all,” adding: “You’re barking up the wrong tree.”

B-1 bombers RAF Fairford: a key base in the Iran conflict

Fairford is Washington’s preferred European base for heavy bombers and one of only a few on the continent able to handle aircraft like the B-1. The planes stationed there had recently been used in US strikes on Iran, and the base has played a central role in earlier American campaigns in the Middle East, though bombers are not stationed there permanently.

During the current conflict, Britain allowed the US to use Fairford only to strike Iranian missile sites attacking ships in the Strait of Hormuz, or for defensive strikes. London refused permission for offensive strikes on Iran from British bases, a position that has strained ties between the two allies.

A Pentagon official confirmed on Sunday that all US bombers deployed to Fairford had returned to their home stations in the United States. The Pentagon said the bomber force remained ready to deliver precision global strike capabilities “anywhere, anytime.”

Frequently asked questions

Why did the US move B-1 bombers out of RAF Fairford?

Vice President Vance said the move was made out of an abundance of caution after a suspected Iranian plot at the base, where five British men were arrested on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts.

What is RAF Fairford?

It is a British airbase 145 km west of London and Washington’s preferred European base for heavy bombers such as the B-1, recently used in US strikes on Iran.

Has Iran responded to the plot allegations?

Yes. Tehran called the accusations baseless, and Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi dismissed them on X, saying Britain was “barking up the wrong tree.”