The United States has attributed the incident that occurred on Sunday at RAF Fairford to a ‘foreign actor’, signalling that further details are expected to emerge from recent arrests.
Gloucestershire Police arrested five men in Whelford, near RAF Fairford-a base used by the US Air Force for combat missions-at about 12:45am on Sunday, 27 September. The arrests followed the discovery of three vans by a local farmer, who called 999 after returning from a party. Bomb disposal experts were subsequently called to inspect the vehicles.
Initial reports hinted at a possible connection to Iran, as RAF Fairford has been the launch point for American bombing missions targeting the Middle East. However, Tehran’s embassy in London refuted these claims, stating it “categorically rejects and strongly condemns the recent unfounded and malicious speculations” regarding Iranian involvement.
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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Fox News that the alleged terror plot was “very serious” and orchestrated by a “foreign actor,” though he did not disclose the specific group he suspects.
Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, leading UK Counter Terrorism Policing, acknowledged the speculation about Iran’s involvement and confirmed that all possibilities are being thoroughly investigated. Speaking outside New Scotland Yard on Monday, Mr Taylor highlighted the “significant interest in whether the current geopolitical context has a bearing on this incident.”
He also confirmed that the five men arrested-all British nationals residing in London-have been released on bail.
President Donald Trump expressed surprise at the decision to grant bail. Speaking from the Oval Office on Monday, he said: “I will tell you, I would have said ‘Don’t let them have bail’. I’m surprised that they released them. I wouldn’t have done that.”
Prime Minister Andy Burnham chaired a Cobra meeting on Monday to address the situation. Defence Secretary Wes Streeting emphasised that bail decisions are operational matters for police and prosecutors, adding that the investigation remains ongoing.
Mr Rubio praised the cooperation between US and British authorities, describing the British officers as “very co-operative.” He stated: “I know a lot of people are disturbed by the news that some of these people have been released on bail… Obviously we’re engaging with them on all of that.
“But suffice it to say that beyond that, I would argue that they’ve been very co-operative and very helpful on something that’s a very serious incident, and I think it ties us to the reality here.”
The five suspects include men aged 23 to 25 from various parts of London: one from Camden, three from Westminster, and one from Willesden.
Mr Taylor confirmed that the men were released on bail under “stringent conditions” and remain under active investigation as authorities pursue multiple lines of inquiry. Approximately 85 households that were evacuated have been allowed to return home, although a police cordon remains in place around the vehicles.
While the material found is believed not to constitute viable explosives, the police continue their investigation into the incident.