The United States has pulled all its B-1 bombers out of Britain following a security incident near a key airbase used for operations linked to Iran. Pentagon officials confirmed on Sunday that every American bomber stationed at RAF Fairford has returned to its home bases in the United States.
A Pentagon spokesperson explained that operational security rules prevented them from confirming the aircraft movements in real time. The decision came after police responded to reports of suspicious activity near the base in southwest England.
Last Sunday a local farmer in the village of Whelford spotted several vans blocking a road and a group of masked men who quickly fled the scene. The report triggered an immediate response. Authorities evacuated 85 homes in the area as a precaution while they investigated.
Investigators later found no explosives inside the vehicles. They did recover a quantity of petrol. Lawrence Taylor, head of Britain’s National Counter Terrorism Policing, confirmed these details. Five British men in their mid-20s from London were arrested in connection with the incident. All five were later released on bail.
US President Donald Trump publicly criticized the decision to release the suspects, telling reporters he would not have done the same. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that a foreign actor was involved, though he did not name the country. Iran’s embassy in London strongly rejected any suggestion of Tehran’s involvement and condemned the speculation.
RAF Fairford has served as the only mainland British base used by the United States for specific defensive operations related to Iran since March. American bombers and other aircraft were regularly seen taking off and landing there after Britain granted permission for those missions. Security around the base had already been tightened in recent weeks because of the ongoing regional tensions.
Aerial images of the vans showed barrels inside them. At least one vehicle carried a fake logo and phone number designed to look like a legitimate diesel delivery company. Speculation ranged from a possible security threat to fuel theft, especially given the high energy prices in Britain this week.
The rapid withdrawal of the B-1 bombers marks a clear shift in the American military presence at the British airbase after the unexplained activity raised serious concerns.
