'Reported threat of possible Iranian drone attack' led US to remove bombers from RAF Fairford

The US removed its bombers from RAF Fairford partly because of a reported threat of a possible Iranian drone attack against the base, American officials have said.

The two officials, speaking anonymously to Sky's partner network NBC, could not say whether the threat was imminent.

A third official said the US can deploy the bombers from anywhere, so it made sense to move them out of an abundance of caution.

It comes after Donald Trump confirmed that "threats" led to the decision to remove the US bombers from the base in Gloucestershire.

Speaking to reporters outside the White House, the US president added: "We actually know the people who made the threat."

The Pentagon confirmed on Sunday the removal of bombers, including B-1s, B-2s and B-52s, from the base.

RAF Fairford was the target of a suspected terror attack on 27 September. Five UK nationals in their mid-20s were arrested on suspicion of explosives offences and terrorism close to the military site.

They have since been bailed, as has a UK-Iranian national who was arrested on suspicion of preparation of terrorist acts on 1 October.

Asked if there was a "specific threat" that led to the removal of the US bombers, Mr Trump replied: "Yeah I think we can say that. They didn't fly out by accident.

"There were some threats. And 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."

It comes after US secretary of state Marco Rubio said the removal of the US bombers was not directly connected to the arrests of five men near the base.

"The Department of War is constantly reallocating resources where they need to be. There are regular rotations that happen as well," Mr Rubio said.

"We've documented what happened last week. I wouldn't directly tie that to the move that was made."

US vice president JD Vance said the decision to remove the bombers was taken "out of an abundance of caution" to "protect our guys".

He added: "We do feel with ​some confidence that the Iranians are, you know, they're trying to do what the Iranian state has done for 49 years, which is engaged in ‌acts of terrorism against the United States (and others), so we are being extremely cautious, and that's all I'd say about that."

Asked on Monday whether RAF Fairford - a long-time home to US forces - remains safe, a spokesperson for UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham replied: "Yes."

The spokesperson said they "wouldn't comment on other countries' military decisions", and also declined to comment on whether the PM had spoken to Mr Trump about the decision.

They said there had been "no change to position" regarding the base and the government is "investing £470m into securing defence bases around the UK".

Three of the US planes landed in South Dakota on Sunday, anonymous US officials reportedly told The New York Times.

One said that more specific threat details had emerged in the 24 hours prior to the bombers being withdrawn.

Some aircraft and crew left while refuelling flights were still being arranged because of the urgency of the situation, according to the outlet.

A Pentagon official said on Sunday all US bombers at RAF Fairford had now been "redeployed to their home stations in the United States".

They said America's bomber force remained ready for "precision global strike capabilities", including through missions that begin and end in the continental US.

The prime minister said on Wednesday there was a "strong indication that Iran played a part" in the earlier incident. Tehran has denied any involvement.

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Two Pentagon sources told Sky's US partner network NBC News the rushed withdrawal of at least 12 bombers included several that had just arrived as part of a rotation.

RAF Fairford is an important base for US military operations. It acts as the headquarters for the US 501st Combat Support Wing and the 420th Air Base Squadron, according to the unit's website.

It serves as "the preferred bomber forward operating location in Europe for US Air Force Global Strike Command".

In March, a number of US B-1 Lancer bombers arrived at the military base as part of US operations after launching the Iran war.

(c) Sky News 2026: 'Reported threat of possible Iranian drone attack' led US to remove bombers from RAF Fairford