The Newshound

Trump confirms US bombers left RAF Fairford because of 'some threats' as Washington claims to know who made them

From the Newshound archive · first published 3 October 2026 · last updated 6 October 2026.

Trump confirms US bombers left RAF Fairford because of 'some threats' as Washington claims to know who made them

President Donald Trump has confirmed that a specific threat drove the hasty removal of American strategic bombers from RAF Fairford, directly contradicting Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who had dismissed any security connection just hours before. Speaking to reporters outside the White House, Trump said the aircraft "didn't fly out by accident" and that Washington "actually knows the people who made the threat". The Pentagon confirmed the withdrawal on Sunday; roughly a dozen B-1 bombers departed so urgently that refuelling support had not been arranged in advance.

Trump indicated Iran was the likely source of the threat, telling reporters the US knew who was responsible, though he stopped short of naming anyone.

JD Vance said the bombers were moved "out of an abundance of caution" amid concerns that Iran was conducting terrorist operations against the US and its allies.

The underlying fear was reportedly that the bombers could be hit by a drone strike modelled on Ukraine's July 2025 assault on Russian airbases, which destroyed up to 41 strategic aircraft.

MoreThe IndependentTrump explains why bombers were removed from RAF FairfordEvening StandardUS bombers pulled from RAF Fairford in face of ‘some threats’, says TrumpThe TelegraphTrump: US pulled bombers from RAF Fairford over threats to baseThe Independent‘Threats’ led to US decision to remove bombers from RAF Fairford, says TrumpBBC NewsTrump says 'threat' led US to pull bombers from RAF FairfordDaily MailTrump says 'a specific threat' saw US withdraw its bombers from UKLBCPresident Donald Trump says 'threat' led to decision to pull US bombers from RAF FairfordBBC NewsWhat prompted the US bombers to leave RAF Fairford?Daily MailMARK ALMOND: Fairford farce has put a nail in US-British relationsThe Independent on MSNUS withdraws all bombers from RAF Fairford after suspected terror plotLBCRemoval of US bombers from RAF Fairford 'not directly tied' to suspected terror plot, says Marco RubioDaily Mail NewsUS military removes all B-1 bombers from RAF Fairford after 'Iran-linked terror plot' against the base: New fears over security force 'rapid' removal of planes - some of which only arrived last week
Read today's full feed at The Newshound →