British counter-terrorism police are investigating an incident near RAF Fairford, a US military base in Gloucestershire. On September 27, 2026, police received a report of three suspicious vehicles heading towards the base. The vehicles were stopped, and five men were arrested on suspicion of preparing for a terrorist act. The men, all British citizens from London, were later released on bail.
The incident occurred at around 12:45 am on Sunday, September 27. Police found three white vans parked in a wooded area near the base. A robot was seen approaching the vehicles, but police have not confirmed its use. The vehicles were examined by forensic experts and bomb disposal teams. The police are investigating several leads, including the possibility of a foreign state's involvement.
The five arrested men, aged 23-25, were from London. They were initially detained on suspicion of explosives offenses and later arrested on suspicion of preparing for a terrorist act. The men were released on bail with strict conditions, including restrictions on their movement and communication. Police have not disclosed their identities.
RAF Fairford has been used by the US military for decades. The base was used during the Cold War and in the Gulf War in 1991. In 2003, it was used to launch B-52 bombers in raids on Iraq. More recently, the base was used as a staging post for US operations against Iran. The UK government allowed the US to use British bases, including Fairford, for defensive strikes against Iranian targets.
US President Donald Trump expressed concern about the release of the five men on bail. He stated that the US would not have released them if they were in US custody. Trump also claimed that the men had intended to cause significant damage. US Senator Marco Rubio suggested that a foreign power may have been involved in the incident, but provided no evidence.
The Iranian embassy in London denied any involvement in the incident. The embassy described speculation linking Iran to the incident as baseless and malicious. UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham chaired an emergency meeting of the Cobra committee and urged caution while the authorities investigated. UK Defense Minister Wes Streeting stated that the government was aware of Iranian threats but would not speculate about the incident.
The incident led to the evacuation of 85 homes in the area, and a 400-meter security cordon was established around the vehicles. The airspace was restricted within a five-mile radius of the base. Police continue to investigate the incident, and the five men remain under suspicion. The incident highlights the ongoing threat of terrorism and the cooperation between UK and US authorities to counter it.
Key points
- The incident involved three suspicious vehicles and five men arrested on suspicion of preparing for a terrorist act near RAF Fairford.
- The US military has used RAF Fairford as a base for operations against Iran.
- The Iranian embassy has denied any involvement in the incident.
