US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Monday, September 28, that a suspected terror plot at the RAF Fairford airbase in Gloucestershire "clearly involves the hands of a foreign actor." During an interview with Fox News, Rubio suggested the incident was linked to entities, specifically mentioning Iran, that have threatened American interests. While he described the situation as serious, Rubio did not provide specific evidence to support the claim. The Iranian embassy in London has categorically denied any involvement, describing the allegations as unfounded.
The incident began in the early hours of Sunday, September 27, when a local farmer reported three white vans parked near the base. The farmer noted one van displayed a fake telephone number and observed a group of masked men running away. Following the report, police declared a major incident and evacuated approximately 80 homes in the nearby village of Whelford. Bomb disposal teams used a robot to inspect the vehicles, which contained black barrels, though Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) later confirmed that no viable explosives were found.
Five men, all UK nationals in their early 20s from London, were arrested on Sunday on suspicion of terror offences. On Monday, September 28, authorities released the five men on bail subject to stringent conditions regarding their movement and contact with others. Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, head of CTP, stated that investigators are exploring various possibilities, including whether the individuals were working as proxies for a foreign state. U.S. President Donald Trump and Secretary Rubio both expressed surprise at the decision to release the suspects on bail, with the President suggesting the incident "might be" connected to Iran.
The scale of the security response reflects heightened tensions, as Britain raised its national terrorism threat level to "severe" in April, indicating an attack is considered highly likely. While a source reported the vans did not contain explosives, the presence of unidentified men near a military installation has led to increased security. Local councillor Tristan Wilkinson described the mood among residents as a mixture of "confusion" and "weariness."
The legal handling of the five suspects, aged 23 to 25, follows an investigation into potential state-sponsored proxy activity. While President Trump argued against their release, Professor Trevor Taylor of the Royal United Services Institute suggested that investigators might gain more information by monitoring the suspects' contacts while they are on bail than by holding them in a cell. The investigation remains active as CTP continues to examine the men's motives and potential foreign ties. Police maintain a presence at the site as they continue to process the scene.