UK believes Iran was behind RAF Fairford plot, PM says, as suspect CALLED POLICE on himself before arrest
From the Newshound archive · first published 29 September 2026 · last updated 30 September 2026.
Donald Trump said he was "surprised" the five suspects were released on bail and that he would not have done so — a public rebuke of British policing decisions.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.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has told the public the government believes Iran was involved in the suspected terror plot near RAF Fairford, his most direct statement yet on Tehran's role. It has also emerged that one of the five bailed suspects dialled 999 himself — approximately an hour before a farmer independently raised the alarm at 1.36am on Sunday. Counter-terrorism chief Laurence Taylor confirmed that the three vans contained no explosives, only petrol.
Trump said he was 'disappointed' Britain bailed the men, telling reporters 'they should not have done that.'
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the plot 'clearly involves the hand of a foreign actor', with Iran's London embassy fiercely denying involvement.
Villagers near the Gloucestershire base say they were left feeling 'like sitting ducks' after authorities failed to communicate with them before or after the incident.
