US removes bombers from UK base at center of suspected Iranian plot

Christoph Bergs, research analyst at defence think tank the Royal United Services Institute, said the redeployment would in the short term reduce the US's capacity "to quickly surge sorties against Iran, reducing the threat level somewhat". But he noted that use of Fairford was already limited given London's stipulation on defensive strikes. The aircraft could now potentially be sent to either Diego Garcia or bases in the Gulf, to reduce the need for more air-to-air refuelling to cover the additional distance, but that would depend on capacity availability, negotiations with allies and security, he added.