US removes bombers from UK base at centre of mystery incident

The US has removed its B-1 bombers from a British air base one week after five men were arrested nearby on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts, a suspected plot that UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham claimed was likely backed by Iran.

The planes had been stationed at RAF Fairford, the preferred European base for US bombers 90 miles (145 km) west of London, which had recently been used for US strikes on Iran. A Pentagon official said on Sunday they had now returned to their home bases in the US.

Five men arrested by British police over the incident, which remains shrouded in mystery, have been released on bail. A sixth man, a dual UK-Iranian national arrested on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts, has also been released on bail.

Iran has said accusations it was involved in any plot are baseless, and its foreign minister, Abbas Aragchi, wrote on X: “I can confirm Iran's belief that releasing supposed terrorists working for foreign states really says it all. You're barking up the wrong tree.”