What happened
The United States has withdrawn its B-1 bombers from the RAF Fairford airbase in the UK due to unspecified threats believed to be linked to Iran. According to US President Donald Trump, the decision was made to move the aircraft after receiving additional threats, which prompted concerns for the safety of the bombers.
The Pentagon confirmed the bombers had left the airbase, while the British government maintained that the site was secure. Trump stated that the US is aware of the individuals who made the threats and believes they are connected to Iran.
A counter-terrorism investigation was launched after a local farmer reported suspicious activity near the base on September 27. Although several suspects were arrested and later released on bail, investigators found no explosives but recovered a quantity of petrol from the vans.
US officials reported that the bombers were moved after receiving new threat information, which was part of the same warnings that surfaced three weeks ago. The UK Prime Minister's spokesman assured that the base is safe, citing the country's tried and tested approaches to defending its bases.
