The United Kingdom has formally linked Iran to an alleged plot targeting RAF Fairford, a U.S. Air Force bomber base in Gloucestershire, after a multinational statement condemned Tehran’s suspected covert activity overseas.
The allegation concerns events near the base on September 27, 2026, when police arrested five men after reports of suspicious vehicles travelling towards the military site.
A subsequent counter-terrorism investigation led to further arrests and searches.
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Air Force: What the UK and its allies said
A joint statement published by the British government on October 12 said participating countries recognized the United Kingdom’s attribution of Iran’s involvement in the RAF Fairford incident.
The statement said the episode demonstrated what the signatories described as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ continued willingness to project hostile activity beyond Iran through covert networks and proxy actors.
Canada was among the countries that signed the statement, alongside the United States, Australia and several European allies.
The governments condemned alleged Iranian-linked activities including lethal plotting, arson, sabotage and cyberattacks, and warned that people acting on behalf of a foreign state could face investigation and prosecution.
The RAF Fairford investigation
Counter Terrorism Policing said five British men in their 20s were arrested near Whelford, close to RAF Fairford, in the early hours of September 27.
They were detained on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act and preparation of a terrorist act under Section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006.
Police later announced the arrest of a 25-year-old dual British-Iranian man and a separate 22-year-old British man as investigators pursued additional lines of inquiry.
By October 6, six men remained on police bail, according to the counter-terrorism update.
Gloucestershire police said approximately 85 households were evacuated while specialist officers examined the scene and vehicles connected to the investigation.
Authorities have not announced criminal charges in connection with the case.
Police have also not publicly detailed what investigators found in the vehicles or confirmed the precise intended target.
Why RAF Fairford matters
RAF Fairford is owned by the United Kingdom but serves as a bomber forward operating base for the U.S. Air Force.
The site has supported U.S. bomber deployments and operations involving allied aircraft.
Its role made the investigation particularly sensitive amid heightened tensions between Iran, the United States and European governments.
The base has also been linked to regional military operations.
In 2026, the Royal Air Force said increased operational activity from RAF Fairford contributed to the cancellation of that year’s Royal International Air Tattoo.
What happens next
The investigation remains active and is being led by Counter Terrorism Policing with support from local police, the Ministry of Defence and other agencies.
Police have urged anyone with information about activity around RAF Fairford on September 27 to contact the Anti-Terrorist Hotline or report information through the United Kingdom’s counter-terrorism reporting system.
The latest government statement does not announce new military action against Iran.
Instead, it emphasizes intelligence cooperation, disruption of suspected hostile networks and prosecution where evidence supports criminal charges.
For residents near RAF Fairford, the immediate issue is likely to remain heightened security around the installation while investigators determine the full circumstances and motivation behind the alleged plot.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened near RAF Fairford?
Police arrested five men on September 27, 2026, after reports of suspicious vehicles near the Gloucestershire airbase. The incident became a counter-terrorism investigation. ([counterterrorism.police.uk](https://www.counterterrorism.police.uk/news/update-on-raf-fairford-investigation/?utm_source=openai))
Has the UK said Iran was involved?
Yes. A UK government joint statement published on October 12 said allied governments recognized Britain’s attribution of Iranian involvement in the incident. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/joint-statement-on-iran-12-october?embed=true&utm_source=openai))
Were the suspects charged?
No charges had been announced in the official police updates cited for this report. Several suspects remained on police bail while the investigation continued. ([counterterrorism.police.uk](https://www.counterterrorism.police.uk/news/new-arrest-made-in-the-raf-fairford-investigation/?utm_source=openai))
What is RAF Fairford used for?
RAF Fairford is a U.S. Air Force bomber forward operating base located in Gloucestershire and owned by the United Kingdom. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/25m-final-stage-of-raf-fairford-airfield-surfaces-refurbishment-complete?utm_source=openai))
Was Canada involved in the response?
Canada was one of the countries that signed the October 12 joint statement condemning alleged Iranian-linked hostile activity. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/joint-statement-on-iran-12-october?embed=true&utm_source=openai))
Fact-Checked: Key facts were checked against United Kingdom government, Counter Terrorism Policing and Defence Infrastructure Organisation information.
Disclaimer: The investigation is ongoing, and allegations about foreign involvement remain subject to further evidence and legal proceedings.