The United States military has removed all of its B-1 bombers from RAF Fairford amid heightened security fears following a suspected terror plot.
At least 12 American bombers were stationed at the air base, located in Gloucestershire, until the Pentagon hastily ordered the planes to return to their home stations on Sunday.
Some of the aircraft had only arrived days ago at the air base, which had been used as the 'preferred' hub for launching bomber strikes in Iran, prompting questions over why they have been removed so rapidly.
Officials did not explicitly reveal why the planes were removed, but it comes just days after 'three suspicious vehicles' were spotted close to RAF Fairford.
Five men aged between 23 and 25, all UK nationals, were initially arrested on suspicion of explosive offences and later on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act. They have all been released on bail.
A UK-Iranian national, 25, was subsequently arrested in London on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act and also released on bail. Counter-terror police are continuing to investigate the matter.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham revealed there were 'strong indications' Iran had been involved without elaborating further - however the Islamic regime has denied this.
In a further twist to the circumstances surrounding the incident, the suspected bomb plot was foiled after one of the suspects called the police himself.
A Rockwell B1 Lancer heavy bomber takes off from RAF Fairford on Sunday after the US military recalled all of its aircraft to their home stations
Five men were pictured as police arrested them on terror charges near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire. They are all British, from London, and in their 20s, police said. All of the men have since been released on bail
No improvised explosive devices were found in the three vans involved in the alleged terror plot, police said on Tuesday. Laurence Taylor, the head of Counter Terrorism Policing, also noted that a quantity of gasoline was recovered from the vehicles
After receiving the emergency call, armed police rushed to the scene in Gloucestershire, rounded up the suspects and removed their clothing amid fears they may have been wearing suicide vests.
On Sunday, sources within Whitehall did not dispute suggestions the US had withdrawn the bombers in reaction to the incident, the BBC reported.
It is also understood the decision was for military rather than political reasons - and may have been in response to new security concerns at the base.
One US official suggested the bombers were moved in response to 'the same threat warnings that surfaced three weeks ago, but specific details and a sense of urgency spiked in the past 24 hours, alarming commanders,' the New York Times reported.
The Pentagon said in a statement on Sunday: 'While operational security precluded us from confirming the movement of our assets and forces in real-time, we can acknowledge now that all US bombers that were deployed to RAF Fairford have redeployed to their home stations in the United States.'
'The Airmen that operate America's bomber force, including B-1s, B-2s, and B-52s, remain ready to deliver precision global strike capabilities - including through operations that launch and recover from the continental United States - anywhere, anytime.'
No improvised explosive devices were found in the three vans involved in the alleged terror plot, police said on Tuesday.
Laurence Taylor, the head of Counter Terrorism Policing, also noted a quantity of gasoline was recovered from the vehicles.
It remains unclear why one of the suspects called the police.
The US Secretary of State said last Tuesday that the suspected terrorist plot 'clearly involves the hand of a foreign actor'.
Marco Rubio stopped short of directly blaming Iran – but noted the regime had 'openly threatened to attack US interests globally'.
US officials were aware of an attack linked to Iran that involved a bomber aircraft being targeted.
They were also notified of a plot to kill personnel on the base, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal.
In July, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued a chilling warning that any UK base used to strike Tehran was a 'legitimate target'.