US Air Force withdraws all bombers from RAF Fairford after suspected terror plot

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All US Air Force bombers stationed at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire have been pulled back to the United States following a suspected terrorist threat at the airbase. Flight tracking platforms recorded B-1 aircraft departing the airfield on Sunday as the fleet returned to its home stations.

The move follows the release on bail of a sixth man detained in connection with the security incident. Counter Terrorism Policing confirmed the 25-year-old, a dual UK-Iranian national, was held on suspicion of preparing acts of terrorism under Section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006.

Five other British citizens, all in their mid-20s, were previously arrested on suspicion of explosives offences and terrorism before being bailed. Police attention was initially drawn to the military site after three suspicious vans were observed nearby last weekend.

Senior CTP national co-ordinator Vicki Evans previously said the investigation was “hugely complex”, adding that specialist teams were “interrogating multiple lines of inquiry”.

She added: “As we’ve made clear, we’re looking at all possible angles – including possible foreign state involvement.”

Prime Minister Andy Burnham said there were “strong indications” that Iran played a part in the incident.

RAF Fairford has been used in recent months by US bombers after former prime minister Sir Keir Starmer granted Washington permission to use British bases for “defensive” strikes against Tehran during the Middle East war.

Counter-terror police have said a quantity of petrol but no explosive devices were found in the vans that sparked the security alert.

On Thursday, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed Israel had handed Britain intelligence about the suspected terror plot.

Mr Netanyahu said his country warned UK authorities about the “Iranian-sponsored attack” shortly before Britain’s announcement of a ban on trade with illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank.

Earlier in the week, US President Donald Trump said he was “disappointed” after the five men were released on bail.

He told reporters: “We were involved in (the investigation), but as you know, your fellow countrymen let them go.

“Well, they didn’t let them go. They put them out on bail. I assume they haven’t watched closely… they should not have done that.”

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