A dozen US B-1 bombers have been withdrawn from RAF Fairford. The Pentagon confirmed the redeployment on Monday.

The bombers returned to their US home stations on Sunday. They had been deployed at the Gloucestershire base for the Iran campaign.

President Trump said on Monday, “They didn’t fly out by accident.” He added, “There were some threats.”

The Wall Street Journal reported an Iranian drone-attack plot targeting the base. Five men were arrested on September 27 and released on bail.

A sixth man was arrested on October 1. He is a dual British-Iranian national. A seventh was arrested on Tuesday in Westminster.

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said on September 30 there were “strong indications” of Iranian involvement. Iran has denied any role.

RAF Fairford has supported US operations on Iran since the war began in February. The withdrawal is described as precautionary. The Pentagon confirmed the bombers returned to their US home stations.

Sources:

• https://www.wsj.com/world/uk/us-b1-bombers-withdrawn-fairford-iran-drone-plot
• https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-gloucestershire-fairford
• https://www.reuters.com/world/us-b1-bombers-leave-fairford-amid-iran-threats-2026-10-05/