What prompted the US bombers to leave RAF Fairford?

The sudden mass withdrawal of America’s heavy bombers from RAF Fairford has prompted questions about what drove the move, with U.S. Vice-President JD Vance citing an “abundance of caution” over concerns that Iran has long carried out “acts of terrorism” against the U.S. and others. For seven months, B-1 Lancer bombers and other aircraft operated from Fairford to strike Iranian missile launch sites. Iran warned in July that any country providing such a facility would be a “legitimate target.” On Sept. 27, British police arrested five men near the airbase perimeter, and over the weekend a UK-Iranian dual national was arrested and later released. Twelve B-1 bombers then departed en masse, with refueling aircraft reportedly still fueling as crews were ordered to scramble.