Trump says US bombers moved from RAF Fairford over threats
Donald Trump says US B-1 bombers were moved from RAF Fairford after threats linked to Iran, as officials give differing explanations for the withdrawal.
US President Donald Trump said the United States moved its B-1 bombers away from RAF Fairford in Britain after receiving threats linked to Iran, adding that there was little reason to leave the aircraft exposed.
The bombers had been deployed at RAF Fairford, a key European base for US heavy aircraft, and had recently supported American defensive strikes against Iranian missile sites.
The withdrawal came days after British counterterrorism police arrested six people in connection with a suspected plot near the airbase.
Trump Confirms Threats Prompted Bomber Withdrawal
Trump said on Monday that the decision to move the US bombers was directly connected to security concerns.
“We had an idea that there might be a threat, and why would I leave them there? It costs very little money to move them,” Trump told reporters.
“So we had a threat, and if we're going to be threatened, we just move them, and that sort of alleviates that. And we actually know the people that made the threat.”
Asked whether the people behind the threat were linked to Iran, Trump replied: “They would be linked to Iran.”
The comments provide the clearest explanation so far for why the United States suddenly removed its bomber aircraft from RAF Fairford.
A Pentagon official had previously confirmed that all US bombers deployed at the British base had returned to their home stations in the United States.
US Bombers Moved After New Security Concerns
The US military had stationed B-1 bombers at RAF Fairford as part of its operations in the region.
US officials had not initially publicly confirmed that a specific threat caused the withdrawal. However, reports said American commanders had received new intelligence concerning a possible Iran-backed threat against the base.
Trump's comments now indicate that the United States considered the threat serious enough to move the aircraft rather than keep them at RAF Fairford.
JD Vance Says Move Was Made Out of Caution
Vice President JD Vance also linked the withdrawal to concerns involving Iran, although he described the decision as a precaution.
Vance said the bombers were moved out of an “abundance of caution” to protect US personnel and military assets.
“We do feel with some confidence that the Iranians are, you know, they're trying to do what the Iranian state has done for 49 years, which is engaged in acts of terrorism against the United States (and others), so we are being extremely cautious, and that's all I'd say about that,” Vance told reporters.
Counter-terror police are investigating whether Iran was behind a suspected plot to target the base on Sept 27. Five British nationals and a British-Iranian national were arrested on suspicion of terrorism offences in connection with the suspected plot.
Rubio Gives Different Explanation
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio offered a more cautious explanation for the bomber movement.
Rubio said the US military regularly moves aircraft and other resources between locations and suggested that the redeployment should not necessarily be interpreted as a direct response to the suspected plot.
“The Department of War is constantly reallocating resources where they need to be. There are regular rotations that happen as well,” Rubio said.
He added that aircraft movements could occur because of “exercises, redeployments, people changing out, new people coming in, new planes coming in, old planes going out.”
Rubio also said the United States remained confident about the security of its military bases.
Iran Denies Involvement in RAF Fairford Plot
Iran has rejected accusations that it was behind any suspected plot targeting RAF Fairford.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi criticized the allegations in a post on X, saying:
“I can confirm Iran's belief that releasing supposed terrorists working for foreign states really says it all. You're barking up the wrong tree.”
British authorities have not publicly established that Iran ordered or directly organized an attack against RAF Fairford.
Why RAF Fairford Is Important
RAF Fairford, located about 90 miles (145 km) west of London, is one of the most important European locations for US heavy bombers.
The base can support aircraft such as the B-1 and B-52 and has hosted American military deployments during previous operations.
During the current conflict, US heavy bombers operating from RAF Fairford had been used for defensive missions against Iranian missile capabilities, according to the US military.
Britain had limited the use of its bases for operations against Iran, allowing strikes described as defensive missions against Iranian missile threats to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
The withdrawal of the B-1 bombers therefore reduces the number of US heavy bombers immediately available from RAF Fairford, although the aircraft remain capable of conducting long-range missions from other locations.
Arrests Near RAF Fairford
The bomber withdrawal followed the arrest of five British men near RAF Fairford on September 27.
Police had responded after suspicious vehicles were reported near the base. The suspects were arrested on suspicion of explosives-related offences and later investigated over suspected preparation of terrorist acts.
No explosive devices were found, although police said petrol was discovered.
A sixth suspect, a 25-year-old dual UK-Iranian national, was subsequently arrested in London on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts.
The suspects have been released on bail as the investigation continues.
Trump had previously described the suspected plot as one intended to cause “big damage” and had questioned the decision to release the suspects on bail.
What Happens to the US Bombers Now?
The B-1 bombers that had been deployed to RAF Fairford have returned to their home stations in the United States.
The Pentagon said the US bomber force remained ready to provide precision global strike capabilities “anywhere, anytime.”
The aircraft could potentially be deployed from other locations depending on operational requirements, available infrastructure and agreements with US allies.
Defence analysts have said moving the bombers away from RAF Fairford could reduce the US ability to quickly launch missions from Britain,
although the aircraft can still conduct long-range operations with aerial refuelling.
