Trump pulled out bombers over fears of Iranian drone attack on RAF Fairford after ‘terror plot’, US officials say

Next DONALD Trump pulled American bombers from RAF Fairford over fears of an Iranian drone attack following the alleged terror plot, say US officials. The US President said there were “some threats” that had led to the decision to remove the bombers from the air base in Gloucestershire on Sunday. 6 President Donald Trump pulled US bombers from RAF Fairford over fears of an Iranian drone attack, say officials Credit: Reuters 6 Five men were arrested near the Gloucestershire air base on suspicion of terrorism on September 27 Credit: Free for editorial use Advertisement US officials told Sky News they could not say whether the reported drone threat was imminent. Meanwhile, another official argued the B-1 bombers could be deployed from anywhere so it made sense to move them out of caution. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! Email address Please provide a valid email. Your info will be used in accordance with our Privacy Policy You'll now receive top stories, breaking news, and more, straight to your email. Asked as he left the White House on Monday if the planes had been moved in response to a threat, Mr Trump said: “Yeah, I think we can say that. They didn’t fly out by accident. “No, but there were some threats and rather than tempting the enemy, we’ll capture the enemy and beat the enemy. Read more News ROAD CHAOS All traffic stopped on major motorway after crash as drivers warned of delays 'OUR SPARK' Heartbreaking tribute to ‘witty & kind’ teen killed in crash as man charged 6 The B-1 bombers were pulled from RAF Fairford on Sunday Credit: Getty 6 “But why should we leave them there? So we moved them around a little bit. Not very far.” He added: “We actually know the people who made the threat.” Advertisement On Sunday, the Pentagon confirmed it had removed its bombers – around a dozen B-1s – from the base and had returned to their home stations in the US. Earlier on Monday a Downing Street spokesperson said RAF Fairford was safe and pointed to Mr Trump’s previous comments last week when he praised “our police , defence and security services” in relation to the base. Most read in The Sun DIRTY TRICKS Putin ‘sending spies to defecate in toilets of MPs in escalation against West’ SEA BLITZ Drones hit two ships near Bulgaria day after 'Russia sinks vessel' off Romania SPY PROBE Germany’s ex-intelligence chief arrested on suspicion of ‘espionage & treason’ CRASH MANHUNT New £10k reward in hunt for driver after hairdresser, 20, killed in crash Five men in their early 20s were arrested on suspicion of terrorism near RAF Fairford in the early hours of September 27 after cops were alerted to three “suspicious vehicles”. A local farmer also dialled 999 after getting no answer when she called the guardroom at the US strategic base in Gloucestershire. The suspects, from London, were bailed after police said a substance in drums in their three vans was found not to be a viable explosive – The Sun understands it was petrol. Advertisement A sixth suspect, a British-Iranian dual national, was arrested in Westminster on Thursday in connection with the Fairford plots. He was quizzed on suspicion of preparing an act of terrorism before being bailed on Saturday. After the release of the first five men, Trump slammed the decision and US officials suggested that Iran could have been involved in the incident. 6 Cops were alerted to three ‘suspicious vehicles’ last month Credit: Marc Giddings 6 Advertisement Marco Rubio, US Secretary of State, said he would not directly tie the incident to the decision to pull the bombers from RAF Fairford. US Vice-President JD Vance added that the decision was taken “out of an abundance of caution”. It comes after PM Andy Burnham said there were “strong indications” Iran was involved in the Fairford plots. The Sun reported on Monday that the gang arrested at the Gloucestershire airbase may have been a decoy designed to divert airbase security ahead of a bigger Iran-backed attack. The RAF only realised the pullout was taking place when the US Air Force crews of the departing B-1B Lancer bombers logged flight plans with air traffic control. Advertisement A convoy of civilian cars, buses and minibuses left on Monday, causing a local traffic jam as they moved to an adjacent compound. Former Air Marshal Ed Stringer called the US exit “extraordinary”. He said: “They had a routine rotation a week ago and now suddenly all 12 have gone home. “Clearly someone’s done a risk-benefit analysis. “The threat’s gone up, the benefit has gone down.” Advertisement RECOMMENDED STORIES Security experts warned Britain had suffered an embarrassing vote of no confidence from the US as a result. Professor Anthony Glees, security expert from the University of Buckingham said the move was was “very serious” and could have wider implications for the Western alliance.