British counter-terrorism police are investigating an incident near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire after five men were arrested in the early hours of Sunday, 27 September. The air base is used by the US Air Force.
Police received a call at about 00:45 reporting three suspicious vehicles that appeared to be travelling towards the base. Armed officers arrested the men in the nearby Whelford area, initially on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act. They were subsequently arrested on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act.
Army bomb disposal specialists are examining the vehicles. Police established a 400-metre cordon and evacuated around 85 nearby households as a precaution. All five men remained in custody when counter-terrorism police issued their afternoon update.
RAF Fairford has been used by US bombers for operations against Iran. That makes the base’s role relevant context, but investigators have not publicly established who was behind the suspected plot or whether it was connected to Iran. Police have also not confirmed that explosives were found or that an attack took place.
Sources: Metropolitan Police,
This post was published on 27 September 2026 21:52
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