https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/sep/27/major-incident-declared-near-raf-fairford-as-men-arrested-on-suspicion-of-explosives-offences
Counter-terrorism police are leading the investigation in which five men were arrested on suspicion of explosives and terrorism offences near an RAF base used in US attacks against Iran.
After the declaration of a major incident at RAF Fairford, a bomb squad was sent to the village of Whelford and extra security measures were put in place, including the fortification of entrances to the base. Roadblocks and armed police have been seen in the area over the weekend.
After their initial arrest over explosives offences, the five men detained early on Sunday morning were further arrested later in the day on suspicion of the preparation of a terrorist act, the Metropolitan police said.
https://nypost.com/2026/09/27/world-news/raf-fairford-terror-suspects-stripped-down-after-uk-cops-foil-van-bomb-plot/
British cops on Sunday arrested five suspected terrorists accused of plotting a van bombing attack at a UK military base used by the US Air Force for its strikes on Iran.
Dramatic pictures show the suspects being held at gunpoint while stripped to the waist, after officers suspected they may have been wearing suicide vests for their alleged plot, according to reports.
Police believe that there could be a link to the Iranian regime, but are investigating several possible motives,
https://www.usnews.com/news/us/articles/2026-09-27/air-base-at-the-center-of-a-uk-terror-probe-has-been-used-by-the-us-air-force-during-the-iran-war
Three suspicious vehicles are being searched, and counterterror officers are leading the investigation.
Here’s what to know about the base.
Fairford is a base for U.S. bombers
RAF Fairford, about 100 miles (160 kilometers) west of London, is one of several bases in Britain that has been used by the U.S. Air Force under an agreement dating from the 1950s. It is home to the headquarters of the U.S. Air Force’s 501st Combat Support Wing and is a forward operating location for U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command.
Fairford’s long runway makes it suitable for heavy bombers, and it has been used in conflicts including the Gulf War, the 2003 Iraq war and the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran this year.
It has been used for strikes on Iran
Britain did not join the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran that began Feb. 28 and initially denied President Donald Trump’s request to use bases in the U.K. to strike Iran. But then-Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced days later that he had agreed to let the U.S. use bases in Britain for “defensive” operations against Iran’s missiles and their launch sites following Iranian attacks on U.K. interests and Britain’s allies in the Gulf.
American B-1 and B-52 bombers have taken off from Fairford for operations during the Iran conflict.
Security is tight at U.S. bases in Britain