Trump Suddenly Withdraws US Nuclear Bombers from UK, Here is the Reason
US President Donald Trump has stated that threats related to Iran are the reason the United States is withdrawing B-1 bombers from its airbase in the UK. These aircraft were previously stationed at RAF Fairford, the primary US base for bombers in Europe, and were recently utilised in US strikes against Iran.
The decision to withdraw the bombers follows the arrest of five British men last week near the base, who are suspected of preparing a terrorist attack. Previously, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran had identified Fairford as a legitimate target.
“We received information that there might be a threat, and why would I let them stay there? The cost to move them is very small,” Trump said on Monday (5/10/2026), as reported by Reuters. “So we received a threat, and if we are threatened, we just move them, and that somewhat eliminates the threat. And we actually know the people making the threat.”
When asked if the parties involved were linked to Iran, Trump replied, “They will be linked to Iran.”
US Vice President JD Vance previously stated that the relocation of the bombers was a precautionary measure. “We are quite certain that Iran, you know, is trying to do what the Iranian state has done for 49 years, which is to engage in acts of terrorism against the United States (and other parties). So we are being very careful, and that is all I can say regarding this,” Vance told reporters.
However, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that there is no direct link between the sudden withdrawal of the bombers and the alleged plans involving Iran. According to him, the Pentagon “continuously reallocates resources to where they are needed.”
A NATO military source said on Monday that Iran is still viewed as a serious threat to US military assets located in the UK. “It is still believed that Iran poses an acute threat to US assets in the UK,” the source stated.
While many aspects of the incident remain undisclosed, UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham suggested that the alleged plot likely had Iranian support. Iran has denied involvement in the plan. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, via X, stated, “I can assure you that Iran’s belief that releasing people suspected of being terrorists working for a foreign country has explained everything. You are looking in the wrong place.”
Rubio stated that the US is confident all its bases are secure. RAF Fairford is located approximately 145 kilometres west of London. This base is one of the most important US military facilities in Europe because few bases are capable of accommodating heavy bombers such as the B-1.
Fairford has previously played a vital role in several US military operations in the Middle East. However, US bombers are not permanently stationed at the base. In the ongoing conflict, the US only has permission to use Fairford for strikes against Iranian missile sites used to attack ships in the Strait of Hormuz, which are classified as defensive strikes. The British government has refused to grant permission for the US to use its military base for offensive strikes against Iran.
This policy has strained relations between the US and the UK, despite the UK being one of Washington’s closest allies. A Pentagon official confirmed on Sunday that all US bombers previously deployed to Fairford have returned to their bases in the United States. The Pentagon stated that the US bomber fleet remains ready to provide precision strike capabilities globally “anywhere, anytime.”
The New York Times, quoting two US officials, reported that the US military rushed to move the aircraft over the weekend after commanders received new threats regarding an Iran-backed plan. Some aircraft were reportedly leaving the base while aerial refuelling tankers were still deployed. A US official declined to comment on these reports. The British government also did not comment, although a spokesperson for Burnham stated the base is in a secure condition.
Christoph Bergs, a research analyst at the Royal United Services Institute, defence think tank, said the relocation would reduce the US’s ability to quickly increase the number of strike missions against Iran in the short term. According to him, the move “slightly reduces the level of threat.”
However, Bergs noted that the use of Fairford was already limited because the UK only permits defensive strikes. The aircraft could now potentially be sent to Diego Garcia or bases in the Gulf region. Deployment to such locations could reduce the need for aerial refuelling for longer distances. Nevertheless, the decision will depend on capacity availability, negotiations with allied nations, and security factors.