The United States has withdrawn all 12 of its B-1 bombers from RAF Fairford in southern England after receiving intelligence suggesting a potential drone attack ordered by Iran's Revolutionary Guard. The sudden move was made as a precautionary measure to protect American personnel. According to US and British officials, the threat was part of a complex Iranian plan to target aircraft and kill hundreds of American military personnel stationed at the base.
The Iranian plot is believed to have been inspired by a similar attack carried out by Ukraine on Russia last year. Ukrainian forces managed to smuggle drones into Russian territory, which were launched from trucks and resulted in the destruction or damage of at least 12 Russian aircraft. The US and British officials also stated that the threat was likely linked to Iran's Revolutionary Guard or another military command center in Tehran.
US Vice President JD Vance attributed the withdrawal of the bombers to a desire to protect American troops. He accused Iran of planning attacks against the US and stated that the Biden administration was taking a cautious approach. Vance emphasized that the US was aware of Iran's history of engaging in terrorist activities against the US and its allies.
US President Donald Trump also commented on the situation, stating that individuals linked to Iran posed a threat to the American bombers at the British airbase, prompting the decision to withdraw them to the US. Trump questioned why the bombers were left in the UK, saying "Why do we leave them there?"
The withdrawal of the bombers was a rare and swift decision, with some aircraft and crew members departing while fuel tankers were still being prepared to support their flights to the US. The US and British governments have been investigating a series of suspicious events surrounding RAF Fairford, including the arrest of five men in white vans near the base and the detention of a British-Iranian citizen on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts.
The UK government has expressed confidence that the base is secure, with Prime Minister Andy Burnham stating that the government believes Iran played a role in planning the events that led to the arrest of the five men. The incident has raised concerns among military leaders, with Israel warning Germany about the increased risk to US bases on its territory.
The US and its allies have been on high alert for potential Iranian threats, with the Revolutionary Guard issuing a statement in July warning that allowing the US to use the base would make London responsible for American operations. The statement said that any base used to launch attacks on Iranian territory would be considered a legitimate target for Iranian forces.
Key points
- The US withdrew 12 B-1 bombers from RAF Fairford in southern England due to a potential drone attack threat from Iran's Revolutionary Guard.
- The Iranian plot was likely inspired by a similar attack carried out by Ukraine on Russia last year.
- The withdrawal of the bombers was a precautionary measure to protect American personnel, with the US and UK governments investigating a series of suspicious events surrounding the base.
