The Trump administration has sought to play down the withdrawal of US bombers from a Gloucestershire air base after suggestions the move was linked to security concerns.
US secretary of state Marco Rubio said he would not link the departure of aircraft from RAF Fairford to a recent suspected terror plot targeting the base.
Speaking to reporters at a base in the US, Mr Rubio said: “We’ve documented what happened last week. I wouldn’t directly tie that to the move that was made.”
He added: “It’s not unusual to see movement of assets to different parts of the world based on exercises, redeployments, people changing out and new people coming in, new planes coming in and old planes going out.”
Six men have been arrested over the past week in connection with a suspected plot targeting RAF Fairford, which had been hosting US bombers involved in strikes against Iran.
The Pentagon confirmed on Sunday that the aircraft that were stationed at the base had been “redeployed to their home stations in the United States”, but stressed the US Air Force retained the ability to strike “anywhere, anytime”.
US officials told The New York Times the redeployment of the bombers had been ordered after more specific details about threats to the base emerged over the weekend.
On Monday, Downing Street declined to comment on the withdrawal of US bombers but insisted RAF Fairford was safe.
Mr Rubio said he had confidence in the security of all US bases, adding: “With the Brits, we’ve worked very closely for a long time, including on this investigation, and they couldn’t be more co-operative.”
The five British nationals, all in their mid-20s, arrested near the base on September 27 have since been released on bail.
A sixth man, a 25-year-old dual UK-Iranian national, arrested on October 1, has also been released on bail.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said last week there were “strong indications” that Iran played a part in the incident.
Counter-terror police have said a quantity of petrol but no explosive devices were found in the vans that sparked the security alert.
RAF Fairford has been used in recent months by US bombers after former prime minister Sir Keir Starmer granted Washington permission to use British bases for “defensive” strikes against Tehran during the Middle East war.
On Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed Israel had handed Britain intelligence about the suspected terror plot.
Mr Netanyahu said his country warned UK authorities about the “Iranian-sponsored attack” shortly before Britain’s announcement of a ban on trade with illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
Earlier in the week, US President Donald Trump said he was “disappointed” after the five men were released on bail.
He told reporters: “We were involved in (the investigation), but as you know, your fellow countrymen let them go.
“Well, they didn’t let them go. They put them out on bail. I assume they haven’t watched closely… they should not have done that.”
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