Rubio says RAF Fairford bomb plot 'clearly involves a foreign actor' as Iran dismisses link as 'unfounded slur'
From the Newshound archive · first published 29 September 2026.
Marco Rubio, US Secretary of State, as President Donald Trump publicly broke with the British government over its decision to grant bail to five suspects arrested near RAF Fairford.Stopped vans at RAF Fairford, where a farmer's 999 call led to the arrest of five British nationals suspected of plotting against US forces there.Suspects arrested at RAF Fairford, the Gloucestershire airbase where US forces are stationed for operations against Iran, as police probe possible hostile-state proxy involvement in the suspected bomb plot.Iran's Revolutionary Guard. Donald Trump said the suspected bomb plot targeting the US-run base "might be" linked to Iran, adding: "I know the answer — I'd rather not say it.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio named Iran while stopping just short of placing direct blame on Tehran for the alleged bomb plot targeting RAF Fairford, telling Fox News the incident "clearly involves the hands of a foreign actor" and warning that "repercussions" would follow. The five British nationals — all London men aged 23 to 25 — were bailed on Monday after being detained on terrorism and explosives offences, a development Trump said "surprised" him and that he "wouldn't have done."
Counter Terrorism Policing chief Laurence Taylor confirmed the men remain under investigation, with 'stringent conditions on their movement,' and refused to rule out a foreign state connection.
IRGC-linked Telegram channels reportedly celebrated the plot, boasting 'Britain is wetting itself' and claiming a base used to bomb Iran is a 'legitimate target.'
Iranian dissidents reportedly warned Britain not to be fooled by Tehran's 'bullying tactics,' saying the regime 'only understands the language of force.'
