The reason for the withdrawal of US B-1 bombers from an airbase in the United Kingdom was a potential threat of a complex drone attack directed by the IRGC. The Wall Street Journal writes about this, citing US and European officials.
The planned attack was part of a multi-pronged Iranian plot intended to strike the aircraft and kill personnel at RAF Fairford, including US pilots. On 5 October, the US President confirmed in remarks to the press that the aircraft had been moved because of the threat.
Vice President JD Vance has publicly stated that the decision was linked to Iran.
“We are confident that the Iranians are trying to do what the Iranian state has been doing for 49 years, which includes terrorist attacks against the United States and against many people,” he said.
A UK government spokesperson on Monday assured that the airbase is safe.
The US had used the UK airbase for aircraft that carried out strikes on Iranian facilities. The Wall Street Journal reported that the IRGC had been recruiting British citizens for sabotage. US military officials in Europe also received intelligence about a possible attack involving explosives.
British officials said there was no evidence that Iran was capable of carrying out such a complex operation against the Fairford base. Iran has previously targeted other British bases overseas, including Akrotiri in Cyprus and Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean.
British police are still establishing how and why five masked men ended up near RAF Fairford last week, having travelled from London in vans carrying fuel drums. The UK government said there were strong indications the plot was linked to Iran, but provided no details. The men were arrested on suspicion of preparing a terrorist attack, but were later released on bail. No charges were brought. A day later, a sixth man with both British and Iranian citizenship was arrested. He was also released.