America’s bomber withdrawal points to wider UK-US friction

LONDON — Britain and the U.S. seeked to ease friction Monday after American bombers were suddenly withdrawn amid major security concerns at the base that hosted U.S. aircraft used to strike Iran. The U.S. move is the latest stumbling block in the special relationship between the allies and underscores reservations in Donald Trump’s administration about how the U.K. is handling its defense and security commitments. The Pentagon confirmed on Sunday that it had removed all B-1 bombers from the RAF Fairford air base — where they were deployed to conduct defensive strikes against Iran — and sent them back to their home stations in America.