The United States moved a fleet of B-1 bombers out of a UK air base over the weekend after intelligence pointed to a possible Iranian drone attack, according to multiple reports.
The alleged plot, developed by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), was reportedly intended to destroy US aircraft and kill American service members at RAF Fairford, a military installation roughly 90 miles west of London, The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times reported Monday.
US officials characterized the potential assault as a “complex, multipronged” operation.
Some observers believe the plan may have drawn inspiration from Ukraine’s drone strikes against Russian air bases last year, including attacks on Moscow’s nuclear-capable bombers launched from within Russian territory.
The June 2025 attacks, known as Operation Spider Web, involved explosives-packed drones concealed inside sheds transported by semi-trucks. The operation struck five military bases across five Russian regions.
The 12 B-1 Air Force bombers were redeployed to the United States days after British authorities said they had disrupted an alleged terror plot targeting RAF Fairford.
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Police said five suspects, all identified as British nationals, appeared to be planning a van bomb attack against the airfield.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said there were “strong indications” that the Iranian government had played a role in the initial plot, which was believed to have targeted Fairford because it housed American bombers.
Vice President JD Vance told reporters Monday that the aircraft were removed from the base “out of an abundance of caution.”
“We do feel with some confidence that the Iranians are trying to do what the Iranian state has done for 49 years, which is engage in acts of terrorism against the United States and against a lot of other people as well,” Vance said. “We are being extremely cautious.”
President Trump also indicated that US intelligence had identified a potential Iranian threat to the base.
“We had an idea that there might be a threat, so why would I leave them there?” Trump told reporters.