UK police arrest five men in suspected bomb plot at US airbase RAF Fairford used for Iran strikes
British police arrested five men near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire on September 27, 2026, on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act and explosives offenses. The arrests followed a tip about three suspicious white vans approaching the base. Bomb disposal robots were deployed, and 85 nearby households were evacuated. The base houses US B-1B bombers used for strikes on Iran. US President Trump said the suspects were under joint investigation and sought "big damage." An Iranian-linked motive is considered most likely, though other possibilities are being examined.
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British police arrest five men on terror suspicion at US airbase Fairford used for Iran strikes
British police arrested five men on suspicion of terrorism near RAF Fairford, a US airbase in Gloucestershire, England, on September 27, 2026. The arrests occurred after a tip-off about three suspicious white vans approaching the base. Specialist teams and bomb-disposal robots were deployed, and about 85 households were evacuated. The base is a key hub for US long-range bombers, including B-52s and B-1s, used in strikes against Iran since late February 2026. The Iranian government had previously declared such bases legitimate targets. The US raised Fairford's alert level to maximum and tightened security at other bases. UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham canceled all appointments and a trip to the Labour Party conference. The article notes that the UK has been on high alert, with MI5 chief Ken McCallum warning of increased attempted attacks, including from Iranian, Russian, or pro-Palestinian actors. It also mentions a rise in drone incidents near British military infrastructure.
Read sourceUK Thwarts Suspected Bomb Plot Against RAF Fairford Base Used by US Bombers for Iran Strikes
British authorities thwarted a suspected terrorist plot targeting RAF Fairford, an air base in England that houses U.S. B-1B Lancer bombers used for strikes on Iran. On September 27, U.K. officials announced the arrest of five men on suspicion of terrorism and explosives offenses after they were stopped near the base. Explosive ordnance disposal teams were dispatched, and three suspicious white vans were inspected. President Donald Trump praised the arrests, stating the suspects were 'looking to do big damage' and that U.S. and U.K. authorities had them under review for a long time. The base had been under increased security for days, with heavy machinery placed around the perimeter. The threat level was raised prior to the incident. British Prime Minister Andy Burnham emphasized public safety as the priority. The B-1Bs at Fairford were heavily used during Operation Epic Fury, the air campaign against Iran, and Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had previously warned that it considered Fairford a legitimate target. The investigation is ongoing, with the five men remaining in custody.
Read sourceFive arrested near UK air base used by US; Trump says suspects sought 'big damage'
British police arrested five men on September 27, 2026, near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, England, on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act involving explosives. The air base hosts U.S. Air Force personnel and has been used to strike Iranian missile sites. U.S. President Donald Trump stated the suspects were under joint U.S.-U.K. investigation and aimed to cause 'big damage' to the base. Police received a tip about three vans heading toward the base, leading to armed arrests and a 400-meter cordon. A bomb disposal unit investigated the vehicles, and 85 nearby homes were evacuated. Counter Terrorism Policing Senior National Coordinator Vicki Evans said the investigation is in early stages. An Iranian-linked motive is considered most likely by a source familiar with the investigation, though Russian sabotage or Islamist plots are also being examined. Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he was being updated. Security was increased at other U.S.-used bases in eastern England.
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Five men arrested in UK on terror charges near US airbase used for Iran strikes
British police are investigating a potential terrorist incident after five men were arrested near RAF Fairford, a US Air Force base in Gloucestershire, England, used for operations against Iran. Police received reports of three suspicious vehicles heading toward the base and subsequently detained the men, initially for violating the Explosives Act, later adding charges of preparing terrorist acts. The area was locked down, and a nearby village was evacuated while army bomb disposal teams inspected the vehicles. Vicki Evans, the UK's senior national coordinator for counter-terrorism policing, stated the investigation is in its early stages and the five men remain in custody. A government spokesperson confirmed Prime Minister Andy Burnham is being briefed but declined further comment. Burnham approved the base's use for defensive strikes on Iran in July, continuing the policy of his predecessor Keir Starmer. The US European Command stated it remains vigilant and will take appropriate action to protect personnel.
Read sourceFive men arrested near US-used UK airbase on suspicion of preparing terrorist attack
Five men were arrested outside RAF Fairford, a British military base used by the US Air Force, on suspicion of preparing a terrorist attack and violating explosives laws. The arrests occurred after police spotted three suspicious vehicles heading toward the base early Sunday morning. A cordon was established within 400 meters of the vehicles, and a bomb disposal robot was observed on aerial footage examining the scene. Approximately 85 nearby households were evacuated. The UK's anti-terror police stated the investigation is in its early stages, and Prime Minister Andy Burnham is being kept informed. The base has been used by the US for long-range bomber operations in the Iran war, a deployment that was controversial in Britain. A US Air Force spokesperson said personnel remain vigilant but declined to discuss specific security measures. The incident has fueled speculation that the base itself was the intended target.
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