All seven RAF Fairford terror suspects are now bailed as Iranian drone plot fears drove US bombers out of Britain

From the Newshound archive · first published 8 October 2026 · last updated 9 October 2026.

Counter-terrorism police have bailed a 22-year-old British national — the seventh and final suspect — arrested on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts targeting RAF Fairford, the Gloucestershire airbase used by US bombers to strike Iran. All seven men, in their 20s and including one dual British-Iranian national, were arrested under Section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006 and have now been released under strict bail conditions without charge. Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said there are "strong indications" Iran played a part, and the bombers were reportedly withdrawn after intelligence pointed to a planned Iranian complex drone attack on the base. President Trump has criticised the decision to bail the suspects, while police have defended their approach.

Three suspicious vans were stopped near the base on 27 September — no explosives were found, but police seized a quantity of petrol.

US forces confirmed they redeployed B-1 and B-52 bombers to their American home stations, with Trump saying the aircraft were moved because of "some threats."

Senior counter-terror coordinator Vicki Evans says officers are "working around the clock" to identify the motivation behind events at Fairford.