Symbolic imageUS pulls all bombers from RAF Fairford over fears of Iran-linked plot
The Pentagon confirmed on Sunday that all US bombers have left RAF Fairford in England. US officials cite threats of an Iran-backed attack on the base.
The Pentagon said on Sunday, 4 October, that all US bombers deployed at Fairford were back at their home stations in the US, adding that operational security had prevented earlier confirmation. Twelve B-1B bombers had been stationed there, and the Guardian reports that at least 10 flew out on Sunday, some of them arrived less than a week earlier. The New York Times, quoted by Handelsblatt, cites two US officials who describe information on an Iran-backed attack. One said it belonged to warnings from three weeks earlier but became concrete in the past 24 hours. The Pentagon says its global strike capability from US territory is unaffected, and the UK Ministry of Defence declined to comment.
Arrests near the base
British police arrested five British nationals from London, aged 23 to 25, on suspicion of terrorism and explosives offences after a farmer reported masked men and three white vans heading for the airfield. A sixth suspect, with British and Iranian citizenship, was later arrested in London. All have been released on bail while the investigation continues.
Iran rejects the accusation
Prime minister Andy Burnham spoke of "strong indications" of Iranian involvement, and US secretary of state Marco Rubio pointed to the "hands of a foreign actor". Tehran called the claims unfounded and summoned the British ambassador. The Wall Street Journal, via the Jerusalem Post, cites a senior US official who says an individual linked to the Revolutionary Guards recruited the British suspects.
Other opinions
The Guardian says British authorities have linked the incident to Tehran. The Jerusalem Post notes that police have not publicly concluded Iran was behind it and that some UK officials doubt the plot's sophistication.