US authorities knew the individuals behind the threat, although he did not disclose their identities or provide details about the nature of the threat
By Njoku Vincent
US President Donald Trump has confirmed that Washington moved its bombers from RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, United Kingdom, following threats against the military base.
The Pentagon announced on Sunday that the US had withdrawn about a dozen B-1 bombers from the base and returned them to their home stations in the United States.
Speaking to reporters on Monday before departing for Nebraska, Trump said the aircraft were moved after US authorities became aware of a threat.
“There were some threats,” Trump said, explaining that Washington decided to relocate the bombers rather than leave the aircraft exposed.
He added that US authorities knew the individuals behind the threat, although he did not disclose their identities or provide details about the nature of the threat.
Trump said the aircraft had not been moved “by accident,” adding that the decision was intended to prevent potential attacks while allowing the US to pursue those responsible.
The development follows a major security incident near RAF Fairford on September 27, when police were alerted to three suspicious vehicles in the vicinity of the airbase.
British counter-terrorism officers subsequently arrested five men on suspicion of terrorism offences. They were later released on bail. A sixth man, a British-Iranian national, was also arrested and subsequently released on bail.
US officials have previously suggested that Iran could have been connected to the incident, although no direct evidence linking Tehran to the episode has been publicly established.
The White House has not disclosed the precise nature of the threat that triggered the bomber withdrawal. Sources familiar with discussions in Washington told the BBC that concerns could have involved sabotage or possible attempts to strike the aircraft if hostilities with Iran were to resume.
One source reportedly cited Ukraine’s Operation Spiderweb, a covert drone attack against Russian military bases, as an example of how sophisticated attacks could target sensitive military assets far from an active battlefield.
However, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio struck a more cautious tone, saying it was not unusual for American military assets to be rotated or redeployed around the world.
Rubio said the US retained full confidence in the security of its bases and praised British authorities for their cooperation following the incident.
Vice-President JD Vance, meanwhile, said the bombers were moved out of an “abundance of caution.”
The differing comments have raised questions about the exact circumstances surrounding the withdrawal.
RAF Fairford, located in the Cotswolds, is a strategically important US military facility and regularly hosts American long-range bomber aircraft.
Trump’s confirmation that a threat was involved has heightened attention around the security incident as British and US authorities continue investigations.