The United States has withdrawn all its bomber aircraft from RAF Fairford in southwest England following a security incident that triggered a counter-terrorism investigation around the British airbase.
The Pentagon confirmed that all US bombers deployed to Fairford had returned to their home stations in the United States, citing operational security for its earlier refusal to disclose the movement of the aircraft in real time.
The withdrawal follows a September 27 incident in which police were alerted after a farmer reported suspicious activity involving several vans and masked men near the base. The incident led to the evacuation of about 85 homes as counter-terrorism officers investigated.
Although no explosives were found in the vehicles, police recovered a quantity of petrol. Six men, including a British-Iranian dual national, were arrested in connection with the incident and later released on bail.
British authorities have indicated that there were strong indications of Iranian involvement, a claim Tehran has rejected. US officials have also alleged that a foreign actor was involved.
RAF Fairford has been a key US military facility for operations involving Iran, with Washington using the base for defensive strikes. The redeployment therefore comes amid heightened security concerns and continuing tensions between the United States, Britain and Iran.
