The US Air Force has pulled all of its B-1 bombers from RAF Fairford after a suspected terror plot at the base.
The Pentagon confirmed all its bombers were headed back to their home bases in the US after being filmed leaving Gloucestershire on Sunday.
The return of the bombers follows an alleged attack on the base, and on Saturday a sixth man, a dual UK-Iranian national arrested in connection with the event, was released on bail, according to Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP).
The Pentagon confirmed it reshuffled its air force assets in a statement on Sunday.
“US Air Force bombers routinely operate around the world to support global force readiness and operational requirements,” it said.
“While operational security precluded us from confirming the movement of our assets and forces in real time, we can acknowledge now that all US bombers that were deployed to RAF Fairford have redeployed to their home stations in the United States.
“The airmen that operate America’s bomber force, including B-1s, B-2s, and B-52s, remain ready to deliver precision global strike capabilities – including through operations that launch and recover from the continental United States – anywhere, anytime.”
Five other men, all British nationals in their mid-20s, were arrested in the suspected terror plot on suspicion of explosives offences and terrorism.
Both Andy Burnham and Donald Trump have suggested the plot had links to the Iranian regime.
The Prime Minister said there were “strong indications” the country played a part, while Mr Trump said US intelligence had them “under view for a long time”.
Senior CTP national co-ordinator Vicki Evans previously said the investigation was “hugely complex”, adding that specialist teams were “interrogating multiple lines of inquiry”.
The force said it was now investigating “all possible angles” including “possible foreign state involvement”.
RAF Fairford has been used in recent months by US bombers after former prime minister Sir Keir Starmer granted Washington permission to use British bases for “defensive” strikes against Tehran during the Middle East war.
Flight trackers observed B-1 bombers leaving the base over the weekend. Around a dozen of the heavy aircraft were stationed at the base.
Mr Trump has been critical of the decision to release the five men on bail, saying he was “disappointed” in the decision.
He told reporters: “We were involved in [the investigation], but as you know, your fellow countrymen let them go.
“Well, they didn’t let them go. They put them out on bail. I assume they haven’t watched closely… they should not have done that.”
And on Thursday, Benjamin Netanyahu claimed Israel had warned the UK of a suspected terror plot at RAF Fairford.
Mr Netanyahu said his country warned UK authorities about the “Iranian-sponsored attack” shortly before Britain’s announcement of a ban on trade with illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
Iran said accusations of its involvement were baseless and summoned the British ambassador to Tehran over the issue.
More to follow…
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