Amid concerns over Iran: US bombers leave Britain
The Pentagon confirmed that 12 B-1B bombers stationed in Britain and used for strikes on 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 target 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 on 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 all deployed bombers have now 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 target Fairford base. Five young Britons were arrested near the base, and later a sixth 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 officials 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 multiple 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 US bombers during the war with Iran. In March, B-1 and B-52 aircraft were deployed there, from which strike missions against Iran were launched. Following the use of the base, Revolutionary Guards officials warned that facilities aiding US strikes could be considered legitimate targets.