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B-1 Bombers have left RAF Fairford in the UK amid security concerns surrounding the military base, the Pentagon said on Sunday.
The US had deployed about 12 B-1 bombers at the base, located northwest of London. The aircraft supported US military strikes against Iran.
However, the Pentagon did not immediately confirm the movement because of operational security concerns. A Pentagon spokesperson later said all US bombers at Fairford had returned to their home stations in the United States.
The aircraft movement came about a week after British authorities arrested several men over an alleged plan to carry out terrorist acts at the base.
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Meanwhile, British authorities have pointed to possible Iranian involvement in the suspected plot. Prime Minister Andy Burnham said Britain had “strong indications” that Iran played a role.
Iran has rejected the allegation. Tehran called the claims baseless and summoned the British ambassador over the issue.
RAF Fairford played an important role in recent US military operations. Britain allowed the US to operate bombers from the base for strikes against Iranian missile sites.
Those missile sites had targeted ships in the Strait of Hormuz, according to the report.
The Wall Street Journal first reported the withdrawal of the aircraft. The report linked the move to security concerns surrounding suspected plots against the base.
US President Donald Trump said the people behind the suspected plot planned to cause “big damage”.
Similarly, Secretary of State Marco Rubio pointed to the possible involvement of a foreign actor. Neither US nor British authorities have publicly provided full details of the investigation.
For now, the investigation continues as British and US authorities assess the security situation around RAF Fairford.
[…] B-1 Bombers US Withdraws Aircraft From UK Base After Security Concerns […]