Trump says US bombers moved from UK over Iran-linked threat

US President Donald Trump said on Monday that a threat linked to Iran had prompted the removal of American B-1 bombers from a British airbase.

The planes had been stationed at RAF Fairford, the preferred European ​base for US bombers, and had recently been used in US strikes on Iran.

Last week, five British men were arrested near the base on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts.

“We had an idea that there might be a threat, and why would I leave them there? It costs very little money to move them,” Trump told reporters on Monday.

“So we had a threat, and if we’re going to be threatened, we just move them, and that sort of alleviates that. And we actually know the people that made the threat.”

When asked if they were linked to Iran, Trump responded: “They would be linked to Iran.”

Earlier on Monday, Vice President ​JD Vance said the US moved the bombers out of an abundance of caution.

“We do feel with some confidence that the Iranians are, you know, they’re trying to do what the Iranian state has ​done for 49 years, which is engaged in acts of terrorism against the United States (and others), so we are being extremely cautious, and that’s all I’d say about ⁠that,” Vance told reporters.

However, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said there was no direct link between the sudden removal of the bombers and the suspected Iranian plot.

He said the Pentagon is “constantly reallocating resources where ​they need to be.”

While much about the incident remains unexplained, British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said any ​plot was likely backed by Iran.

Iran has said accusations that it was involved in any plot are baseless, and Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi wrote on X: “I can confirm Iran’s belief that releasing supposed terrorists working for foreign states really says it all. You’re barking up the wrong tree.”

Rubio said on Monday that the US had confidence in the security of all its bases.

Fairford, located 90 miles west of London, is one of the most important European bases for the US, being one ​of only a few suitable for heavy bombers such as the B-1 aircraft.