The United States has withdrawn all of its bombers from the Royal Air Force (RAF) Fairford base in the UK, returning them to their home stations in America. The decision, confirmed by a Pentagon official on Sunday, follows intelligence reports of a new threat, reportedly linked to Iran, against the airbase.

The move comes in the wake of a significant incident on September 27, when police were alerted to three suspicious vehicles near the Gloucestershire airbase. Counter-terror police initially arrested five men on suspicion of terror offences; they have since been released on bail. A sixth man, identified as a UK-Iranian national, was also arrested and subsequently released on bail.

Whitehall officials have acknowledged a "high tempo of threat from Iran to the UK," suggesting that US airbases would be logical targets. While not disputing that the US bomber withdrawal was a response to the recent incident, officials have characterized the decision as military in nature, made at an operational level and communicated between the US and British militaries.

Tracking websites indicated that B-1 bombers were seen flying out of RAF Fairford on Sunday. The New York Times, citing two US officials, reported that commanders received specific details about an Iran-backed plot against the base within the past 24 hours, stemming from earlier threat warnings.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has stated there are "strong indications" of Iran's involvement in the incident, though Tehran has vehemently denied any participation. The five initial suspects, all UK nationals from London aged between 23 and 25, were arrested on suspicion of explosives offences and later preparing a terrorist act before their release on bail. The sixth man, aged 25, was arrested on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts.

RAF Fairford, located in the Cotswolds, has historically served as a forward operating location for the US Air Force. In recent months, the base has been used to launch B-1 and B-52 bombers for operations in the Middle East, following UK approval for defensive strikes related to Iran.

Residents living near RAF Fairford have expressed relief regarding the departure of the bombers, with one villager citing the noise and a growing sense of unease as reasons for her satisfaction.

The UK's Ministry of Defence has not yet issued a public comment on the bomber withdrawal or the ongoing investigation.