Five men were arrested near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire in the early hours of Sunday, September 27, 2026, on suspicion of explosives offences, and were later further arrested on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act. All five remained in custody.

Counter Terrorism Policing said on September 28 the men are UK nationals aged 23 to 25, living in the London boroughs of Camden, Westminster and Willesden. The case was not intelligence-led: a farmer spotted three suspicious vans and balaclava-clad men near the base around 00:45 BST and called 999, British media reported.

Police evacuated about 85 homes near Whelford village and set up a 400-metre cordon while Army explosive ordnance disposal units examined the vehicles. The threat was declared contained. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans said the inquiry was in its early stages; suspects can be held up to 14 days before charge.

Police are investigating a possible link to Iran, as the base has served as a US staging post for Middle East operations. Iran’s London embassy denied involvement. Donald Trump called the arrests “fantastic” and claimed the suspects had been “under view for a long time,” a claim disputed by UK media reporting.