[UPDATE] Pentagon flies all 12 B-1 bombers out of RAF Fairford, the UK base tied to a suspected Iran-linked plot

The Pentagon gave no reason; a U.S. official said the base was under threat of Iranian attack.

The U.S. flew every bomber it had at RAF Fairford, in England, back to home bases in the United States over the weekend of Oct. 3-4. Fairford has been a launch point for long-range strikes in the Iran war. The move. The New York Times reported urgency built over the 24 hours before the pullout. The Pentagon said the bombers can still strike in "operations that launch and recover from the continental United States." The plot. Police stopped three vans near the base on Sunday, Sept. 27, and found petrol but no explosives. All six men arrested are out on bail and none has been charged. Andy Burnham (Prime Minister, UK) cites "strong indications" Iran played a part; Iran denies it. What next. Donald Trump said Saturday, Oct. 3, he "has a decision to make about Iran," a "hard way" or an "easy way," and may authorize renewed bombing after the midterm elections.

PREVIOUSLY

Sept. 27 — Police arrested five London men in their 20s in three vans near RAF Fairford; they found petrol, no explosives, and bailed the men.
Oct. 1 — Counterterrorism police arrested a sixth suspect, a UK-Iranian dual national, in Westminster on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts.
Oct. 3 — The sixth man was bailed too, leaving all six free and none charged.

How U.S. bases in Britain raised alert levels after the plot:

Fairford went to Delta, the highest U.S. force-protection level, used when an attack is imminent or has occurred nearby.
RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk went to Charlie, the second-highest; armored vehicles now guard Lakenheath's gates.
No public alert change at Ramstein (Germany) or Aviano (Italy), though Israel warned Berlin in mid-September about Iranian-backed threats to U.S. bases there.