Five arrested on terrorism charges after explosives found near RAF base used by US

British police arrested five men on September 27, 2026, near RAF Fairford, a Royal Air Force base in Gloucestershire that has been used by the U.S. military, including for operations against Iran. The men were detained on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act and on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act. The arrests are significant because they involve a security-sensitive site tied to the broader U.S.-Iran conflict, at a time when tensions between Washington and Tehran remain high.

The investigation began after a member of the public called emergency services to report three suspicious vans spotted near the base. Armed police officers responded and searched the vehicles. According to investigators, materials found inside the vans were, in an initial assessment, consistent with improvised explosive devices, though this has not yet been forensically confirmed. Following the search, the five men were arrested. No details about their identities, ages, or backgrounds have been made public so far.

Speaking to reporters, U.S. President Donald Trump said the suspects had been "looking to do big damage" at the air base. He described the arrests in positive terms and stated that the men had previously been under investigation by both British and American authorities. This suggests that security services may have had some prior awareness of the group before the incident, although no further details about that earlier monitoring have been disclosed.

Counter-terrorism police in the U.K. are examining, among other lines of inquiry, whether there is any connection between the alleged plot and Iran. This possible link has not been confirmed and remains one of several avenues investigators are pursuing. Given that RAF Fairford has previously served as a launch point for strikes on Iranian targets, such scrutiny is not surprising, but no conclusions have been drawn publicly at this stage. Officials have emphasized that the investigation is ongoing and its outcome remains open.

International coverage of the incident has varied in depth and emphasis. British and American outlets have provided the most detailed accounts, including specifics about the 999 call that triggered the police response, the nature of the materials found, and the Iran connection under investigation. Other international media have focused more narrowly on the fact of the arrests and on Trump's public remarks, with less elaboration on investigative background. Some reports have highlighted the base's strategic role in U.S. operations against Iran, while others have kept to a brief summary of the core facts. These differences largely reflect varying access to original police statements rather than any dispute over the basic sequence of events.

It remains unclear what motives, if any, drove the five men, and whether they acted as part of a larger network or independently. No confirmed information has emerged regarding potential organizers or a coordinated planning effort behind the alleged plot. Authorities have not yet released further details on how the suspected explosive materials might have been obtained, nor have they elaborated on the nature of the prior monitoring by British and U.S. agencies referenced by Trump.

The incident is likely to draw renewed attention to security arrangements at U.S.-linked military facilities in the United Kingdom, particularly given the continuing friction between Washington and Tehran. Should any Iranian connection be substantiated, it could represent a significant development in an already strained relationship, with potential diplomatic and security implications. For now, however, this remains an open question that investigators themselves have described as unresolved.

As of the latest reports, the investigation continues. Further findings regarding the identities of those arrested, their possible motives, and any international involvement are expected from British authorities but have not yet been confirmed. Public reactions from governments or officials outside the United States and the United Kingdom have so far been limited.