US Withdraws B-1 Bombers from British Base Amid Iran Tensions
The United States has pulled its B-1 strategic bombers from the RAF base in Fairford, Britain, following an incident that triggered a counter-terrorism investigation. The UK had accused Iran of involvement, a claim Tehran denied. The incident occurred on September 27 when police responded to reports of suspicious vehicles near the base, discovering large quantities of petrol but no explosives. The US Defense Department confirmed the withdrawal of all B-1 bombers from Fairford, citing no specific reasons.
Meanwhile, Iran has claimed that US warships have withdrawn from the Persian Gulf and surrounding waters. Ali Fadavi, commander of the Revolutionary Guards, stated that no US Navy ships remain in the region, attributing the withdrawal to Iran's naval power. He asserted that Iran has maintained control of the Strait of Hormuz in recent months.
In domestic news, Iran's Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad has resigned amid reports of long queues at petrol stations due to the fallout from the Middle East conflict. Hamid Bord, CEO of the National Iranian Oil Company, has been appointed as acting Minister of Petroleum.