Iran drone plot fears led US to remove bombers from UK base, US officials say

A B‑1B Lancer bomber arrives at RAF Fairford airbase, after police declared a major incident at the base and arrested several men on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act, who have... Purchase Licensing Rights , opens new tab Read more WASHINGTON, Oct 6 (Reuters) - A suspected plot involving Iran to launch a complex drone ​attack on a key British airbase ‌led the United States to remove its B-1 bomber aircraft from the base, two ​US officials told Reuters on Tuesday, ​speaking on condition of anonymity. Iran has ⁠denied any involvement in any alleged ​plot at RAF Fairford, the preferred ​European base for US bombers. British police said on Tuesday they had arrested a 22-year-old ​British man in London on suspicion ​of preparation of terrorist acts as part of ‌their ⁠investigation into the suspected plot . Sign up here. A spokesperson for the US military's European Command declined to comment, saying: "It is inappropriate to discuss ​matters of ​intelligence, and ⁠we will not discuss specific force protection measures." "As demonstrated across ​multiple operations, America's bombers, including ​B-1s, ⁠B-2s, and B-52s — can deliver precision global strike capabilities – including through operations that ⁠launch ​and recover from the ​continental United States – anywhere, anytime," the spokesperson said. Reporting ​by Phil Stewart; editing by Michelle Nichols Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. , opens new tab Suggested Topics: United Kingdom X Facebook Linkedin Email Link Purchase Licensing Rights