Stützpunkt RAF Fairford: Medien: Bomberabzug wegen Gefahr iranischen Drohnenangriffs

Bomber planes from the United States have been withdrawn from RAF Fairford, a military base in Britain, due to concerns about a potential Iranian drone attack, according to US media reports. The Wall Street Journal, citing informed US and European officials, stated that there were serious worries about a possible complex attack allegedly organized by Iranian Revolutionary Guard.

This planned attack was part of a multi-layered Iranian conspiracy aimed at attacking the aircraft and killing personnel at the RAF Fairford base, including US pilots. Reuters, based on information from US officials, reported that the reason for the withdrawal of around a dozen B-1 bombers over the weekend was intelligence suggesting a possible Iranian drone attack.

President Donald Trump confirmed this motive on Monday, but did not confirm it when asked by a reporter if there was a risk that Iran had smuggled in combat drones to Britain and why the bombers were withdrawn. He affirmed that there had been threats, saying, "Why should we keep the bombers there? So we moved them a little, not very far."

The US military had moved more long-range bombers to Britain in March to enable more flexible operations against Iran. In September, five men near the base were arrested on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act, also suspected of violating explosives laws. They were later released under strict conditions. A sixth suspect of Iranian-British nationality was also arrested and released under conditions in the following days.

Although British Prime Minister Andy Burnham had confirmed earlier in the week that there were indications of a potential link to Iran, US Secretary of State Rubio mentioned a "foreign actor." It is unclear whether the arrested individuals were connected to the planned drone attack or if they had other plans, according to Reuters' account of US officials.