On Sunday, May 28, 2026, the Pentagon announced that all U.S. B‑1 bombers stationed at RAF Fairford had returned to their home bases in the United States. The decision came after the U.S. re‑evaluated the security posture of its overseas assets.
RAF Fairford, the only mainland British base authorized to launch strikes into Iran, was granted permission by the UK government in March 2025. Since then, U.S. aircraft have used the airfield for rehearsals and occasional sorties over Tehran, making it a focal point of U.S.–U.K. military cooperation.
The withdrawal follows a police‑led investigation into a group of vans that blocked a road near the village of Whelford. Five men in their mid‑20s were arrested, then released on bail after authorities recovered only petrol barrels, no explosives.
President Donald Trump called the incident a "mistake" that could have escalated tensions, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused a "foreign actor" of orchestrating the scare. Iran’s embassy in London issued a statement rejecting any Tehran involvement.
The U.K. has increased security at Fairford and is reviewing its protocols for U.S. aircraft. A joint U.S.–U.K. advisory board will meet next month to decide whether the base should remain a launch platform for Iranian missions.