- Five individuals detained near a United States airbase in Britain
- All suspects are London residents in their mid-20s
Updated 5 min 20 sec ago
September 29, 2026 09:02
FAIRFORD: British authorities confirmed Monday that five men detained near a US-operated airbase have been released on bail, while Washington maintained that a “foreign actor” was implicated in the alleged bomb plot.
US President Donald Trump, speaking in Washington, expressed surprise at the bail decision, stating he “wouldn’t have done that.”
The release came as British Prime Minister Andy Burnham convened an emergency meeting of senior officials to obtain “the full picture” of the situation.
Earlier, Iran denied any involvement in a plot targeting Royal Air Force Fairford in Gloucestershire, southwest England, following the security alert early Sunday.
Counter-terror probe
UK counter-terrorism police are leading the investigation after reports Sunday of three “suspicious” white vans near the airbase, which has been utilized by the United States for strikes on Iran.
Police stated Monday that the five detainees, all residing in inner London boroughs, were being released on bail.
“This does not mean the investigation is over,” Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, head of Counter Terrorism Policing, said, adding the men would face “stringent” bail conditions.
He noted officers were “considering this from every possible angle, including that this may be activity committed by proxies, or individuals either knowingly or unknowingly, working on behalf of a foreign state.”
The men were arrested on suspicion of explosives offenses and “preparation of a terrorist act” under UK anti-terrorism laws. They had been traveling in three suspect vehicles, which underwent “extensive examination, with the support of military assets and forensic experts.”
Bomb-disposal team
Authorities have not confirmed threat details, but bomb-disposal experts were observed at the scene. The Daily Mail and Press Association reported Monday that tests on materials in the vans determined they were “not viable explosives.”
A farmer in nearby Whelford said she contacted police after observing the vans blocking a road and a group of masked men. The anonymous woman told media she believed police had “dropped the ball” on the threat.
UK Defence Minister Wes Streeting countered that the farmer only had a “partial picture.”
Iran denies involvement
Trump said Sunday that Britain and the US had the suspects “under investigation” for some time and alleged “they were looking to do big damage to our fort.” After hearing of the bail, Trump said Monday the case “might be” linked to Iran but declined to elaborate.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the incident “clearly involves the hands of a foreign actor,” without providing further details.
Iran’s embassy in London stated on X that it “categorically rejects and strongly condemns” the “unfounded and malicious speculations” regarding Tehran’s involvement.
US bombers
Britain granted the US permission in March to use Fairford for “specific defensive operations into Iran” to destroy Iranian missiles at source. US bombers and other aircraft have since been observed taking off and landing from the base—the only one on Britain’s mainland used for this purpose.
Residents in the rural Cotswolds area surrounding Fairford reported increased activity and security in recent months. Authorities evacuated approximately 85 households from the village early Sunday, allowing them to return the following day.
Tehran has previously warned London against permitting its bases to be used by the US in operations against Iran. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused London of “putting British lives in danger” by allowing the bases to be used “for aggression against Iran.”