US withdraws B-1 bombers from UK over possible Iranian drone attack

According to US media, the United States has withdrawn its long-range bombers from a military base in Great Britain due to concerns about a possible Iranian drone attack. There were urgent concerns about a potential complex attack ordered by Iran's Revolutionary Guard, the Wall Street Journal wrote, citing US and European officials briefed on the matter.

The planned attack was part of a complex Iranian plot aimed at attacking the aircraft and killing personnel at the RAF Fairford base, including US pilots.

The news portal “Axios” also reported, based on US officials, that the reason for the withdrawal of around a dozen B-1 bombers over the weekend was intelligence information that indicated a possible Iranian drone attack.

What Trump says about it

US President Donald Trump did not confirm such a reason on Monday. Asked by a reporter whether there was a risk of Iran bringing combat drones to Britain and whether that was why it had withdrawn the bombers, he replied: "I can't tell you." If Iran had done that, it would have paid a heavy price.

Without elaborating, Trump mentioned that there had been threats. "So why should we leave the bombers there? So we moved them a little bit, not very far," the US president said. When asked by a journalist, he said that the people behind the threat were probably linked to Iran.

The US armed forces transferred additional long-range bombers to Great Britain in March in order to be able to act more flexibly in the war against Iran.

Arrests after incident near military base

At the end of September, five men were arrested near the base. You are suspected of preparing a terrorist act. She is also being investigated on suspicion of violating the Explosives Act. They have since been released under strict conditions. A sixth suspect with Iranian-British citizenship was also temporarily arrested in the following days and then released under conditions.

Last week, British Prime Minister Andy Burnham confirmed indications of a possible connection to Iran. US Secretary of State Rubio had spoken of the involvement of a “foreign actor”.

It is unclear whether those arrested were connected to the allegedly planned drone attack or whether they were planning another attack, Axios quoted US officials as saying.