on security with the UK for a long time, including on the Fairford investigation.

A Downing Street spokesperson said that the UK government would not comment on foreign nations' military operations. Asked about safety concerns by residents living near the base, the spokesperson told reporters that the UK has  the tried and tested approaches to defend our bases around the country, but not just that, throughout the world. 

The UK Ministry of Defense also declined to comment on the operations or capabilities of other nations.

The Royal Air Force base at Fairford has been used to deploy US B-1 bombers involved in the war against Iran and is an operating location for US Global Strike Command, which is tasked with managing long-distance strikes.

CNN national security analyst Alex Plitsas said it was likely several dozen bombers were stationed at Fairford, adding that it was unusual to move all the aircraft.

 It speaks to the credibility and the seriousness of the threat overall to the base that we're talking about,  he told Ben Hunte on CNN Newsroom.

The relocation of the bombers comes amid the investigation into the alleged plot. British police on September 27 arrested five men on suspicion of terror and explosives offenses close to the airbase.

The men - identified only as British nationals between the ages of 23 and 25 and from the London area - were quickly released on bail, with police confirming no explosives were found in three vans at the scene. Their release sparked criticism from President Donald Trump, who said  I wouldn't have done that. 

A 25-year-old British-Iranian dual national was also arrested on Thursday in connection with the alleged plot.

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said last week there are  strong indications  Iran was involved in the incident.

 We will say more in due course, but we can confirm our belief that we believe Iran to have played a part,  he told the BBC on Sept 30.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT | Iran says it is awaiting  definitive' US response despite Trump rejecting latest proposal

Burnham's remarks appeared to support the US' assessment that the incident involved a foreign actor. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said  the hands of a foreign actor  were involved in the alleged plot but declined to provide details in an interview with Fox News last week.

 I think it ties us to the reality here. We are dealing with elements in the world, and in the case of Iran for example, who have openly threatened to attack American interests globally,  he said.

Meanwhile, Iran has denied any involvement in the incident, described the accusations as baseless and summoned the British ambassador in Tehran, Iranian state media reported Thursday. During the meeting, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi reportedly urged London to revise what he called its  inappropriate approach  toward Tehran.

The-CNN-Wire™     2026 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.