The United States has pulled out all its bombers from RAF Fairford, a Royal Air Force base in southwest England, following a security incident last month that led to an investigation into counter-terrorism. The incident occurred on September 27, when police were called to the base after reports of suspicious activity involving a group of men and several small trucks.
According to a Pentagon official, the US had been using the base to launch strikes on Iran, and the incident led to the evacuation of 85 homes near the base. The investigation found no explosives in the trucks, but rather quantities of gasoline. The official said that operational security considerations had prevented confirmation of the bombers' movements in real-time.
A US official told CNN that the bombers were withdrawn after a new, unspecified threat emerged, describing the incident as a "real-world threat". The official said it was unusual for bombers to be returned to their home base rather than being relocated to another base in the region.
The New York Times reported that the US had received new threats about a plot supported by Iran to target the base. The UK Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, said there were "strong indications" that Iran was involved in the incident, which Tehran has denied. Six British men, including one with dual British-Iranian citizenship, were arrested and released on bail in connection with the incident.
The investigation into the incident is ongoing, with police saying it is "highly complex" and that they are considering all possible hypotheses, including the involvement of a foreign state. The Iranian embassy in London has rejected the speculation about Tehran's involvement, and the Iranian foreign minister has accused Sunak of "knocking on the wrong door".
The incident has raised questions about the security of the base, which has been used by the US Air Force since the Cold War. The base was granted permission by the UK and US in March to be used for "specific defensive operations within Iran". The incident has also highlighted the tensions between Iran and the West, with the US and UK accusing Tehran of supporting militant groups.
The withdrawal of the bombers from RAF Fairford has been seen as a precautionary measure, with the US seeking to ensure the safety of its personnel and assets. The incident has also raised concerns about the security of military bases in the UK and the potential threats they face from hostile actors.
Key points
- The US has withdrawn its bombers from RAF Fairford after a security incident last month.
- The incident is believed to have been linked to a plot supported by Iran to target the base.
- The investigation into the incident is ongoing, with police considering all possible hypotheses.
