Conflict & Security
RAF Fairford Iran link probed, UK media say
British counter-terror police were investigating a possible Iran link to a bomb scare near RAF Fairford, a base in southwest England used by the United States, British media reported Monday.
Police said they were tipped off just after midnight Sunday about three suspicious white vans that appeared to be heading towards the air base in Gloucestershire. Officers arrested five men on suspicion of explosives offences and later on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act.
The men remained in custody Monday as police questioned them. Authorities have not confirmed the details or origin of the threat, which they said was contained Sunday evening. Bomb disposal experts were seen working at the scene.
A local resident in Whelford, near the base, told the BBC she called police after seeing three white vans blocking a road and a group of masked men. Defence minister Wes Streeting said the resident had only a “partial picture,” implying police were aware of the situation before they were alerted.
About 85 households were evacuated from Whelford early Sunday and had to stay elsewhere overnight as a cordon remained in place Monday.
US President Donald Trump said the UK and US had the suspects “under view for a long time.” He said they were “looking to do big damage to our fort” and that cooperation with Britain had worked well. Trump later said “we know all about them” when asked about the suspects, and appeared to nod when asked whether there was a connection to Iran, but gave no details.
In March, Britain gave the United States permission to use RAF Fairford for “specific defensive operations into Iran” to destroy Iranian missiles at source. The source item said the base is the only one on the British mainland used for that purpose, and residents said activity and security around the base had increased in recent months.
The origin of the threat has not been publicly established. British media reported that counter-terror police were looking into possible Iranian involvement. Streeting said Monday he did not want to speculate when asked whether the incident could be linked to a hostile state.
Update
British media reported that counter-terror police were examining possible Iranian involvement as a line of inquiry.
The five detained men were still in custody Monday and were being questioned.
Trump said UK and US authorities had the suspects under investigation for a while.
The source added context that Britain gave the United States permission in March to use RAF Fairford for specific defensive operations into Iran.
The Whelford cordon remained in place Monday after about 85 households stayed elsewhere overnight.
Source note: AFP news report published on 28 September 2026 at 10:48:57 UTC.
Update
British media reported that counter-terror police were examining whether Tehran was involved in the potential bomb threat.
US President Donald Trump said, without giving details, that authorities knew about the suspects and had caught them; he appeared to nod when asked about an Iran connection.
Whelford remained cordoned off Monday morning after residents spent the night in alternative accommodation.
AFP reporters saw gates to RAF Fairford blocked by heavy construction vehicles.
Source note: AFP news report published on 28 September 2026 at 08:14:39 UTC.
Uncertainty notes
Authorities have not publicly confirmed the nature or origin of the threat.
Any Iranian involvement remains unconfirmed.
Source
AFP news report published on .