Pentagon removes bombers from UK base

The US military withdrew all B-1 bombers from RAF Fairford on Sunday and sent them back to their home stations in America after security concerns emerged at the base.

Bombers were used for strikes on Iran

The B-1 bombers at RAF Fairford had been deployed to conduct what have been termed as defensive strikes against Iran before their sudden removal.

Trump explains the withdrawal decision

Trump told journalists Monday evening: We had an idea that there might be a threat, and why would I leave them there? If we're going to be threatened we're just going to move them.

“We had an idea that there might be a threat, and why would I leave them there?”

UK investigating suspected Iranian terror plot

Britain's counter-terrorism agencies are investigating a suspected terror plot against RAF Fairford, which the UK government believes involves Tehran. Counter Terrorism Policing is examining potential Iranian state involvement.

Six arrested in RAF Fairford incident

Six men, including a British-Iranian national, were arrested on suspicion of terror offences after police were alerted to three suspicious vehicles near the base on September twenty-seventh. All have been released on bail.

Deeper US frustration with UK defence

The bomber withdrawal reflects Trump administration frustration with Britain's defence spending and anger that the UK did not send warships to the Middle East to help with an American blockade of Iranian shipping.

UK falls short of NATO spending target

Britain has yet to outline a path to meet the NATO standard of spending three point five percent of GDP on defence by twenty thirty-five, up from its current level of around two point seven percent.

Pentagon official signals UK spending concerns

Pentagon policy chief Elbridge Colby said late last month: There's this incredible legacy, and that's what we want to rekindle. But a modern military is not cheap, hinting at frustration with London's defence commitments.

“There's this incredible legacy, and that's what we want to rekindle.”

Withdrawal complicates future Iran strikes

Removing the bombers would make any further American strikes on Iran more complex, since the bombers would have to double their flight path from the continental US to the Middle East.

US builds up forces in Middle East region

A third aircraft carrier is steaming across the Pacific with several large amphibious ships carrying two thousand five hundred Marines, joining two thousand five hundred already at sea in the Middle East.