US President Donald Trump confirmed Monday, October 5, 2026, that the United States withdrew all B-1 bombers from the RAF Fairford airbase in the United Kingdom due to unspecified “threats.” He also stated his personal belief that Iran was responsible for a separate incident involving a Flydubai flight.
The Pentagon had confirmed on Sunday, October 4, 2026, that all US bombers had been returned to their home stations in America from RAF Fairford. However, the British government insisted on Monday, October 5, 2026, that the base remained safe, a stance that contrasts with US concerns.
Bomber Withdrawal Amid Unspecified Threats
Speaking to reporters at the White House, President Trump stated that the bombers did not fly out by accident, confirming “some threats” led to their removal. He added that Washington “actually knows the people that made the threat,” but he did not confirm their identity.
“Rather than tempting the enemy, we’ll capture the enemy and beat the enemy. But why should we leave them there? So we moved them around a little bit. Not very far,” Trump said, according to The Japan Times. This aligns with comments from US Vice President JD Vance, who said the bombers were moved out of an “abundance of caution,” adding that Iran was doing what it had “done for 49 years… which is engage in acts of terrorism against the US and against a lot of other people.”
In contrast, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio attempted to normalize the situation, noting that it was “not unusual” for military units and assets to rotate and be moved around the world. Rubio also affirmed US confidence in the security of its bases and British authorities’ cooperation since the incident.
RAF Fairford Incident Background
The decision to withdraw the bombers followed a “major incident” on September 27, 2026, near RAF Fairford, in the Cotswolds in Gloucestershire. Police were alerted to “suspicious vehicles” and masked individuals near the airbase. Five British nationals were initially arrested on suspicion of explosives offenses and terrorism, then released on bail on September 28, 2026. A 27-year-old British-Iranian dual national was later arrested in Westminster on October 1, 2026, on suspicion of “preparation of terrorist acts” in connection with the incident.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham indicated on September 30, 2026, that there were “strong indications” of Iran’s involvement in the incident, though Tehran has strongly denied any participation. While no explosives were found in the vehicles, petrol and large, mostly empty plastic drums were recovered, according to British authorities. For more details on the initial withdrawal, read our earlier report: US withdraws all bomber aircraft from UK base after terror threat.
Alleged Iranian Link to Flydubai Incident
Alongside the RAF Fairford events, President Trump also stated on Monday that he personally believes Iran was responsible for an incident on Flydubai flight FZ1073. The flight, which departed Dubai for Tel Aviv on September 30, 2026, reportedly involved Omani co-pilot Hamam Al-Hamami attempting to seize control of the aircraft by attacking Indian Captain Smit Machhar.
However, US Vice President JD Vance stated on Monday that he had not seen anything conclusive yet regarding an Iranian role in the Flydubai incident. Iran has denied any involvement in the Flydubai incident, calling the allegations “false accusations” and a “false flag operation.” The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has launched an investigation into the Flydubai incident and urged against speculation until official findings are released.
Strategic Importance and Ongoing Tensions
RAF Fairford has served as a forward operating location for the US Air Force for decades, providing long-range strike capabilities for operations related to Iran. In March 2026, the UK approved a US request to use the base for specific defensive operations against Iranian missile facilities. In July 2026, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned that “any base used for aggression against Iranian territory constitutes a legitimate target for our forces,” explicitly naming RAF Fairford.
Investigations Continue
Investigations into both the RAF Fairford incident and the Flydubai event are ongoing. The exact nature of the “threat” that prompted the bomber withdrawal remains unclear, though speculation includes sabotage attempts or attacks on the aircraft. Trump has not confirmed the identity of those who made the threat, and British authorities have not officially established that the suspects arrested near RAF Fairford specifically targeted the base or US aircraft.
President Trump also mentioned considering establishing a base in Lithuania and campaigning in Michigan in about a week and a half, as well as offering US assistance to Russia after a laboratory worker died at a plague research institute in Siberia.
