US moved around 12 B-1 bombers from UK over threat, Iran suspected

Relocation of aviation from UK base

The US withdrew around 12 B-1 bombers from RAF Fairford military air base in the United Kingdom. This measure was taken due to the presence of a threat. The Pentagon confirmed that the aircraft were returned to bases in the United States.

Confirmation of threat by US President

US President Donald Trump responded to journalists' questions regarding whether a specific threat lay behind the relocation. The head of state answered affirmatively.

«Так, думаю, ми можемо це сказати. Вони вилетіли не випадково. Були певні загрози. І замість того, щоб спокушати ворога, ми схопимо ворога і переможемо його. Навіщо нам залишати їх там? Тож ми трохи їх перемістили. Не дуже далеко» ("Yes, I think we can say that. They did not leave by chance. There were certain threats. And instead of tempting the enemy, we will catch the enemy and defeat it. Why should we leave them there? So we moved them a little. Not very far"), Trump said.

According to him, Washington knows who was threatening, but the president did not name names.

Assumptions about Iran's involvement

What exactly threatened the aircraft remains unknown. BBC sources in Washington assume that it involved a sabotage or strike on the expensive bombers in the event of a resumption of hostilities with Iran. In the US capital, Iran is suspected of involvement in this situation.

The incident near the base is being investigated by the anti-terrorist police. One source close to the White House cited the example of the Ukrainian operation "Pavutyna" (Spiderweb), when drones attacked five Russian air bases. According to the source, this shows what the enemy is capable of even at a distance.

«Хоч би що вони вважали загрозою, до неї поставилися надзвичайно серйозно» ("Whatever they considered a threat, they treated it with extreme seriousness"), the source noted.