London | September 29, 2026
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said a “foreign actor” was involved in a suspected plot targeting RAF Fairford, a British military base that has also been used by U.S. forces, but he stopped short of identifying the country allegedly behind the incident.
Rubio described the weekend incident as a serious security matter during an interview with Fox News, saying it “clearly involves the hands of a foreign actor.” He did not provide evidence publicly or specify which foreign government or organization he was referring to.
Five British men in their 20s were arrested near the airbase on Sunday on suspicion of explosives-related offenses and preparing an act of terrorism. They were subsequently released on bail while the investigation continues.
Investigation Explores Foreign Links
British counter-terrorism authorities have said they are pursuing multiple lines of inquiry, including whether the suspects may have been acting on behalf of a foreign state, either knowingly or unknowingly.
Laurence Taylor, head of U.K. Counter Terrorism Policing, said the men remain under investigation despite being released on bail and that detectives were keeping an open mind about the possible motives and connections behind the incident.
Investigators are examining possible links to Iran, Russia or non-state militant groups, according to the Associated Press. Authorities have not concluded that the incident was state-backed.
Iran has denied involvement. The Iranian Embassy in London said it rejected what it described as speculation linking Tehran to the alleged plot.
RAF Fairford’s Strategic Role
RAF Fairford is a Royal Air Force base in Gloucestershire that has been used by the U.S. Air Force for long-range bomber operations.
The base has also been used in operations connected to the ongoing conflict involving Iran. That strategic role has made the installation a focus of heightened security attention amid the wider Middle East conflict.
Following the arrests, residents from dozens of nearby homes were evacuated while bomb-disposal specialists examined three vans connected to the investigation.
Authorities have not publicly established that the vehicles contained viable explosives.
Suspects Released on Bail
The release of the five suspects on bail has attracted attention in Washington.
President Donald Trump criticized the decision, saying U.S. authorities would not have released the suspects under similar circumstances. Trump also indicated that he believed U.S. officials had information about the men, while declining to provide details.
Rubio similarly said that many people were concerned about the suspects being released on bail, although he praised British authorities for their cooperation.
British counter-terrorism officials have stressed that being released on bail does not mean the investigation has ended. The suspects remain subject to conditions while detectives continue to examine the evidence.
Iran Link Remains Unconfirmed
Rubio's comments have added a new dimension to the investigation, particularly because they came as British authorities were examining whether the incident could have a foreign-state connection.
However, neither U.K. investigators nor U.S. officials have publicly identified the alleged foreign actor.
Iran has previously threatened U.S. interests in the context of the wider Middle East conflict, and Rubio referenced those threats when discussing the investigation. But he did not explicitly say that Iran was responsible for the Fairford incident.
The distinction is significant because the investigation remains ongoing and authorities have not publicly established who, if anyone, directed or supported the alleged plot.
Security Concerns Rise
The incident comes amid heightened security concerns across Europe linked to the broader Middle East conflict and allegations of hostile activity by foreign states and their proxies.
For Britain, the case also highlights the security implications of hosting U.S. military assets at RAF facilities.
For Washington, the investigation is being watched closely because Fairford has been used by American aircraft and is connected to U.S. military operations.
For now, the central question remains unanswered: who, if anyone, was behind the suspected plot?
Rubio has indicated that more information could emerge in the coming days, while British investigators continue to examine the evidence and possible foreign connections.
