The New York Times reports that the United States urgently evacuated its bombers from RAF Fairford in England after receiving new intelligence about an IRGC plan for a complex, multi-pronged drone attack. Senior US officials cited in the report say the plot aimed to hit the aircraft and kill portions of the hundreds of American personnel stationed at the base. Assessments indicate Iran drew inspiration from Ukraine's June 1, 2025 'spider web' drone attack deep into Russia, according to the report.
The New York Times reported early Tuesday that the United States urgently evacuated its 12 B-1 bombers from RAF Fairford in the UK after receiving intelligence on an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) plan for a complex, multi-pronged drone attack. Senior US officials said the plot aimed to destroy the aircraft and kill hundreds of American personnel stationed at the base. Assessments indicate Iran drew inspiration from Ukraine's June 1, 2025 'spider web' drone operation, which struck deep inside Russia using hundreds of drones.
The evacuation occurred over the weekend, as The Zioneer reported at 05:32 today (Tuesday). On Monday evening, President Trump confirmed that a specific Iran-linked threat prompted the withdrawal. Vice President JD Vance said the US took an 'extremely cautious' approach. The Pentagon confirmed all bombers have returned to their home stations. British authorities have cited 'strong indications' of Iranian involvement, a claim Tehran denies.
The development follows an Iran-linked terror plot near RAF Fairford foiled in late September, as The Zioneer reported on September 27. Five British men were arrested; police later said no improvised explosive devices were found in the vehicles and petrol was recovered. British counterterrorism investigators identified a 'strong Iranian fingerprint' in that operation. RAF Fairford has been a critical hub for US strategic bomber operations against Iran, and the latest threat underscores Iran's willingness to target NATO allies on their own soil.
21 developments
- StrongNYT: IRGC planned multi-stage drone attack on US B-1s at UK base, prompting evacuation
- DevelopingIran used drone-swarm tactic from Ukraine to down US F-15E in April, report says
- StrongIran claims complex intelligence plan targeted US aircraft at Bahrain and Kuwait bases
- StrongIranian media publishes footage of army drone strike on US Al-Azraq base in Jordan
Source and signal
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