The US military has withdrawn all of its B-1 bombers from RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire amid heightened security concerns linked to a suspected terror plot.
At least 12 American bombers had been stationed at the airbase before the Pentagon abruptly ordered them back to their home stations in the United States on Sunday.
Some of the aircraft had arrived at RAF Fairford only days earlier. The base had been used as the preferred hub for launching bomber operations against Iran, raising questions about the speed of the withdrawal.
Officials did not directly confirm the reason for the move. However, the decision came days after three “suspicious vehicles” were seen near RAF Fairford.
Five UK nationals, aged between 23 and 25, were initially arrested on suspicion of explosive offences and later on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act. All five have since been released on bail.
A 25-year-old UK-Iranian man was later arrested in London on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act. He was also released on bail, while counter-terrorism officers continue to investigate.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said there were “strong indications” of Iranian involvement, although he did not provide further details. Iran’s Islamic regime has denied any role.
The suspected bomb plot was uncovered after one of the suspects made an emergency call to police, adding another twist to the investigation.
A Rockwell B-1 Lancer heavy bomber takes off from RAF Fairford on March 17, 2026, in Fairford, England
Police pictured arresting five men on terror charges near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire. All are British nationals from London and in their 20s, police said. They have since been released on bail
No improvised explosive devices were found in the three vans linked to the alleged terror plot, police said on Tuesday. Laurence Taylor, head of Counter Terrorism Policing, said officers recovered a quantity of gasoline from the vehicles
After the emergency call was received, armed officers raced to the Gloucestershire scene, detained the suspects and removed their clothing amid fears they could be wearing suicide vests.
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Whitehall sources did not challenge reports on Sunday that the US had withdrawn the bombers in response to the incident, according to the BBC.
The move is understood to have been driven by military rather than political considerations and may have followed new security concerns at the base.
A US official told the New York Times that the bombers may have been relocated in response to “the same threat warnings that surfaced three weeks ago”. However, specific details and the urgency of the situation reportedly intensified during the previous 24 hours, alarming commanders.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Pentagon said: “While operational security precluded us from confirming the movement of our assets and forces in real time, we can acknowledge now that all US bombers that were deployed to RAF Fairford have redeployed to their home stations in the United States.”
“The Airmen that operate America’s bomber force, including B-1s, B-2s and B-52s, remain ready to deliver precision global strike capabilities — including through operations that launch and recover from the continental United States — anywhere, anytime.”
Police said on Tuesday that no improvised explosive devices had been discovered in the three vans connected to the alleged terror plot.
Laurence Taylor, head of Counter Terrorism Policing, said officers had nevertheless recovered a quantity of gasoline from the vehicles.
Authorities have not disclosed why one of the suspects contacted police.
The US Secretary of State said on Tuesday that the suspected terrorist plot ‘clearly involves the hand of a foreign actor’.
Marco Rubio stopped short of directly blaming Iran – but noted the regime had ‘openly threatened to attack US interests globally’.
US officials were aware of an attack linked to Iran that involved a bomber aircraft being targeted.
They were also notified of a plot to kill personnel on the base, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal.
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