Britain has warned that Iran-linked threats may be expanding on its territory as counter-terrorism police continue investigating a security incident near RAF Fairford, which is used by US forces. The development coincided with the US withdrawal of 12 B-1 bombers from the base amid fears of a possible drone attack.
A US official, who requested anonymity because he was not authorised to speak publicly, said the base, about 160 kilometres west of London, had faced Iran-linked threats. He added that the US administration believed the possible aim was to kill as many US personnel as possible and destroy as many aircraft as possible, without disclosing the nature of the attack authorities feared.
The United States moved the bombers from Fairford to their home bases on US territory on 4 October 2026. The Pentagon said all US bombers at the facility had been redeployed, while British authorities declined to confirm reports linking the move to information about a possible drone attack.
US President Donald Trump said his country had received a threat and decided to move the aircraft to reduce the risk, adding that those behind it might have links to Iran, without providing further details. A spokesman for the British prime minister, meanwhile, said RAF Fairford was safe and declined to comment on a foreign country's military operations.
Five suspects detained near Fairford
The case began in the early hours of 27 September 2026, when police stopped three vehicles travelling towards the base near the village of Welford in Gloucestershire. Authorities arrested five Britons aged between 23 and 25 on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act and preparing an act of terrorism.
Authorities evacuated about 85 homes in the area and brought in military experts and bomb-disposal teams to examine the vehicles. Police later said they had found a quantity of an accelerant, petrol, inside three vans linked to the suspects, but no explosives. On 1 October, police detained a 25-year-old man who holds British and Iranian citizenship.
On 6 October, they arrested a 22-year-old Briton in Westminster, central London, on suspicion of preparing an act of terrorism, and searched a property in the same area. This brought the number of people detained in connection with the investigation to seven, before they were released on bail while inquiries continued.
British investigation examines the incident's motives
Vicki Evans, the senior national co-ordinator of counter-terrorism policing, said investigation teams were pursuing multiple lines of inquiry to establish the circumstances of the events near Fairford. She added that investigators were working around the clock to determine the motive and were committed to examining all possible angles in the case.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said his country had “strong indications” of an Iranian role in the incident, but did not disclose the basis for those indications or the nature of the suspected plot.
Iran denies involvement as Britain sets out threat background
Iran denied any involvement, and its embassy in London described speculation linking Tehran to the incident as baseless. Iran has previously considered any base used to attack its territory a legitimate target for its forces. Britain owns RAF Fairford, which houses the headquarters of the US 501st Combat Support Wing and serves as an advanced operating location for the US Air Force's Global Strike Command.
US B-1 and B-52 bombers used the base during military operations against Iran after the British government approved its use for strikes it described as defensive against Iranian missiles and their launch sites. The investigation comes amid repeated British security warnings that Iran uses proxies to carry out operations against people and facilities in the UK.
Rise in national security cases linked to hostile states
The authorities say those threatened include dissidents, journalists, Israelis and Jews, as well as government institutions, the travel sector and universities. Police said the investigation into the Fairford incident remained open and had not yet resulted in final criminal charges.
