Afət Ziyadqızı
The United States has unexpectedly recalled strategic bombers stationed in the United Kingdom, flying them directly back to US territory. US officials have described the decision not to move the aircraft to other bases in the Middle East or Europe as an unusual and significant military-strategic step.
The Operative Information Center-OMM reports that the decision was made amid a large-scale investigation into an alleged plot targeting a military base and linked to Iran.
On September 27, five British citizens aged 23 to 25 were detained on suspicion of terrorism near the base. US President Donald Trump sharply criticized their release on bail after no explosives were found in their car. A further 25-year-old person with dual British and Iranian citizenship was arrested as part of the investigation.
London and Washington have accused Tehran in connection with the incident. British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said there was strong evidence that Iranian intelligence services were behind it. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also said a foreign state actor had been involved, expressing concern about Iran’s attempts to target US interests around the world.
Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejected the allegations as entirely baseless. Iranian officials summoned the British ambassador to Iran to the ministry and lodged a strong protest against London’s official position.
