The plot at RAF Fairford, Iran's role and the US bombers' withdrawal

RAF Fairford, in Gloucestershire in southwest England, is a Royal Air Force base the United States has used to fly strikes on Iran. Early on Sunday, September 27, 2026, police arrested five British men in their 20s near the base on suspicion of terror and explosives offenses. Dozens of nearby homes in Whelford were evacuated while army bomb disposal teams examined three vans that police said appeared to have been headed toward the base.^[1] President Donald Trump said some of the men had been under surveillance and had aimed to inflict major damage.^[1]

The next day, counterterrorism police said they were investigating whether people acting for a foreign state were involved, but released the five on bail, a decision that raised questions and concern, including in the United States.^[1] A police cordon stayed in place near the base.^[6] Iran's embassy in London rejected what it called "unfounded and malicious speculations" linking Tehran to the arrests.^[3] On September 29, counterterrorism police said no improvised explosive devices had been found in the three vans, only a quantity of petrol, and the head of counterterrorism policing defended the decision to grant bail.^[2] The Times reported that the plot was thwarted when one of the men later arrested called the police himself.^[7] On September 30, Burnham said there were "strong indications" that Iran had played a part, defended the bail decision and said British and American officials were carrying out a "complex and serious" investigation.^[3]

On October 1, counterterrorism police arrested a dual British-Iranian national in London on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts and searched two properties in the capital.^[8] On October 3, police said he had been released on bail; the five men arrested first also remained on bail.^[4] No charges had been announced. Days later, the Pentagon withdrew all 12 B-1 bombers stationed at RAF Fairford and returned them to their home stations in the United States, citing security concerns around the base; officials offered few details about the threat.^[5]