Five men arrested near RAF Fairford — a base that hosts U.S. heavy bombers used in operations tied to Iran — will be released on bail, U.K. counterterrorism police said. Laurence Taylor emphasized that bail does not end the investigation and that the suspects face stringent movement and contact restrictions. Authorities have not ruled out the involvement of foreign proxies and say all lines of inquiry remain open. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the scene is now safe and evacuated residents have been allowed to return.
Five Arrested Near U.S.-Used RAF Fairford in Suspected Bomb Plot to Be Released on Bail
Five men were arrested Sunday outside RAF Fairford, a Royal Air Force base that houses U.S. heavy bombers that have been used against Iran. (DAVID BOWN/Getty Images)
Five men arrested near RAF Fairford — a Royal Air Force base that houses U.S. heavy bombers used in operations linked to Iran — will be released on bail, U.K. counterterrorism police said Monday.
The arrests took place on Sunday after a local farmer noticed three vans parked unusually close to the base and reported a large group of men in the area. Officers attended the scene and detained five suspects; residents of 85 nearby homes were evacuated as a precaution but later allowed to return.
Bail and Ongoing Investigation
Laurence Taylor, head of Counterterrorism Policing, announced the bail decision at a news conference on the steps of Scotland Yard, emphasizing that release on bail does not end the investigation.
"To be very clear, this does not mean the investigation is over. They are subject to stringent conditions on their movement and contact with others," Taylor said, noting strict bail terms will limit the suspects' activities while inquiries continue.
Taylor said investigators have not ruled out the possibility that the individuals were acting as proxies for a foreign government and that all lines of inquiry remain open. He added that officers are examining the case within its wider geopolitical context.
"We are considering this from every possible angle, including that this may be actively committed by proxies or individuals, either knowingly or unknowingly working on behalf of a foreign state to respond to incidents such as these," he said.
Official Response and Local Impact
U.K. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the scene was "now safe" and issued a warning to those who would plot violence on British soil.
"To all those who mean us harm and plot violence on our soil, let this be a reminder you will never defeat us," Mahmood said.
The farmer who alerted police said she "suddenly saw a large group of men," describing how some ran into a nearby field while others moved toward a nearby village. She told officers she believed more people were present than the five later detained.
Authorities have released the five on bail under stringent conditions while the counterterrorism investigation continues. No further details about the suspects or any suspected devices have been disclosed at this time.
Reporting based on statements from U.K. counterterrorism police and local authorities. © 2026 Newsmax.
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