America withdraws B-1 bombers from the Fairford base in Britain

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The United States has withdrawn all of its B-1 bombers from the British Royal Air Force's Fairford base, northwest of London, in a move that American officials said Sunday was "the result of security concerns linked to suspected terrorist plots against Al Qaeda."

During the recent period, American bombers were launched from the base and participated in raids on targets inside Iran. Before its recent withdrawal, 12 B-1 bombers were stationed at the base, according to the Wall Street Journal.

For its part, the Pentagon explained in a statement that “operational security considerations prevented immediate confirmation of the movements of American forces and military assets,” but stressed that “all American bombers that were deployed at the Fairford base returned to their main bases within the United States.”

The Pentagon also added that the bombers are still ready to carry out long-range strikes from American territory.

On the other hand, the British Ministry of Defense refused to comment on the decision.

The Wall Street Journal also reported that American officials “were aware of an Iran-linked plot targeting American bombers and individuals at Al-Qaeda.”

According to a senior American official, “A branch of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard recruited British citizens to carry out the plan, which included several stages, including carrying out a distraction operation in an area adjacent to the base before carrying out the attack.”

The American move came after the arrest of 6 suspects in connection with a possible attack on the base, which an American and British official announced was foiled last Sunday.

The British authorities released the suspects on bail as investigations continued.

British Prime Minister Andy Burnum said on Wednesday that there were "strong indications" of Iranian involvement in the incident.

While Iran considered that the accusations against it were baseless, it summoned the British ambassador in Tehran on Thursday in connection with the case, according to Reuters.