Amid concerns over Iran: American bombers leave Britain
The Pentagon confirmed that 12 B-1B bombers stationed in Britain and used for strikes in Iran have been returned to their home bases in the US. The move comes amid an investigation into a plot attributed to a source linked to the Revolutionary Guards to attack Fairford base, in which six suspects were arrested. The US Defense Ministry emphasized that the return does not eliminate long-range strike capability.
The Pentagon confirmed that 12 strategic B-1B bombers stationed at Fairford base in Britain and used for strikes in Iran have been returned to their home bases in the United States. An official statement said that for operational security reasons, the movement of forces could not be confirmed in real time, but now all deployed bombers have been returned. The US Defense Ministry emphasized that the return does not eliminate long-range strike capability, and the aircraft remain on alert for "global strike capability" from US soil. The British Defense Ministry declined to comment on the deployment. The move comes about a week after the arrest of six suspects in connection with a plot to attack Fairford base. Five young Britons were arrested near the base, and later an additional suspect with British and Iranian citizenship was arrested in London. The suspects were released on bail, and the investigation continues. According to a Wall Street Journal report, US intelligence agencies had information about an Iran-linked plot to target the bombers and military personnel. A senior US official claimed that a source linked to the Revolutionary Guards recruited British citizens to carry out the operation, which allegedly involved several stages and a diversionary action. The US claim is not an official determination by British authorities, and some sources in Britain question the sophistication attributed to the plan. Fairford became a key forward base for American bombers during the war with Iran. In March, B-1 and B-52 aircraft were deployed there, and from there strike missions were launched toward Iran. Following the use of the base, Revolutionary Guards sources warned that facilities assisting American strikes could be considered legitimate targets.