Trump Says Iran-Linked Threat Prompted US Bomber Withdrawal From UK Base

US President Donald Trump has said a security threat linked to Iran prompted the United States to withdraw its B-1 bombers from RAF Fairford in Britain.

All US bombers deployed at the Gloucestershire airbase were returned to their home stations in the United States over the weekend, according to the Pentagon. The move involved about 12 B-1B Lancer bombers that had been stationed at Fairford.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, Trump said the United States had received information suggesting there could be a threat to the aircraft.

“We had an idea that there might be a threat, and why would I leave them there?” Trump said, adding that the US knew the people who made the threat.

Asked whether those behind the threat were linked to Iran, Trump replied that they “would be linked to Iran.”

However, the circumstances surrounding the threat remain unclear. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the movement of the bombers should not be directly connected to the suspected plot under investigation in Britain, describing the relocation as part of the US military’s regular reallocation of resources.

Vice President JD Vance, meanwhile, said the United States was acting out of an abundance of caution.

The withdrawal came days after British authorities arrested five men near RAF Fairford on suspicion of terrorism-related offences. Police said the men had been seen near the base in three vans and that no explosives were found, although petrol was recovered.

The five men were later released on bail while investigations continued. A sixth person, a dual British-Iranian national arrested in London on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts, was also released on bail. None of those arrested has been charged in connection with the investigation.

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has previously said there were “strong indications” that Iran played a role in the incident, although Iran has rejected the allegation.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has described claims of Iranian involvement as baseless, while Iranian authorities have denied responsibility for any plot against the base.

RAF Fairford is one of the United States’ most important bomber bases in Europe and is among the few European facilities capable of hosting heavy US bombers such as the B-1. The base has been used in US military operations in the Middle East, including recent strikes against Iran.

The Pentagon said the withdrawal does not mean the US bomber force has lost its ability to conduct long-range operations. It said American bombers remain capable of delivering precision strikes from bases in the continental United States.

A US official cited by The New York Times said commanders had received new information about an Iran-backed plot and that the situation had become urgent. Some of the aircraft reportedly left so quickly that aerial refuelling aircraft had to be scrambled to support their journey back to the United States.

Despite the US withdrawal, the British government has insisted that RAF Fairford remains secure. Downing Street said Britain has established measures for protecting military bases and that the site remains safe.

The investigation into the suspected plot is continuing, while the precise nature of the threat that prompted the United States to move its bombers remains undisclosed.