The Telegraph

RAF terror plot suspect phoned the police himself

Counter Terrorism Police

Update on RAF Fairford investigation  16:00 28 September 2026

The Wall Street Journal

What Isnt a Mystery After Fairford

FOX News

Rubio confirms 'foreign actor' involved in UK terror plot

Politico

UK says Iran involved in RAF Fairford incident

The Guardian

Strong indications that Iran played role in RAF Fairford incident, says Burnham

Iran_in_UK

The Times (UK)

Verifying Device

Fhamiltontimes

Financial Times

Suspect in RAF Fairford incident called 999 shortly before arrest

Watchdog_MP

Daily Mail

Moment police robot blasts off doors of one of three white vans found near RAF base during counter-terror operation

GB News

'You let them go!' Donald Trump issues damning new verdict on RAF Fairford case amid confusion over suspects' bail

The Sydney Morning Herald

UK air base terror plot foiled when one of the suspects phoned police: report

The Jerusalem Post

Man arrested in connection with suspected RAF terror plot called police on self - report

No explosives found in three vans searched near RAF Fairford, say police

BBC News

One of the five men arrested near RAF Fairford called 999 himself

U.K. Prime Minister Andy Burnham has alleged that there are "strong indications" of Iranian involvement in the security incident at RAF Fairford, stating that "we will say more in due course."

U.K. Prime Minister Andy Burnham has alleged that there are "strong indications" of Iranian involvement in the security incident at RAF Fairford, stating that "we will say more in due course."

Five men were arrested early on Sunday morning under both the Explosives Act and the Terrorism Act outside of the U.K.-U.S. air base. Police had previously stated they were "considering this from every possible angle," whilst U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio had claimed on Tuesday that the incident "clearly involves the hand of a foreign actor."

Five men were arrested early on Sunday morning under both the Explosives Act and the Terrorism Act outside of the U.K.-U.S. air base. Police had previously stated they were "considering this from every possible angle," whilst U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio had claimed on Tuesday that the incident "clearly involves the hand of a foreign actor."

Officials have also confirmed that one of the men arrested called 999 himself, adding that the emergency call was placed roughly an hour before a farmer separately alerted police to a "large group of hooded and masked men" and three vans.

Officials have also confirmed that one of the men arrested called 999 himself, adding that the emergency call was placed roughly an hour before a farmer separately alerted police to a "large group of hooded and masked men" and three vans.

After receiving the 999 call, police were dispatched to the scene in Gloucestershire and detained the suspects, removing their clothing amid fears they could be wearing suicide vests. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.verity.news/story/2026/major-incident-declared-near-uks-raf-fairford">The five were granted bail</a> within 36 hours.

After receiving the 999 call, police were dispatched to the scene in Gloucestershire and detained the suspects, removing their clothing amid fears they could be wearing suicide vests. The five were granted bail within 36 hours.

Counterterrorism police said Tuesday that "extensive examination" of the three vans, aided by "military assets and forensic experts," found no improvised explosive devices, though "a quantity of petrol" was recovered from the vehicles.

Counterterrorism police said Tuesday that "extensive examination" of the three vans, aided by "military assets and forensic experts," found no improvised explosive devices, though "a quantity of petrol" was recovered from the vehicles.

The suspects are British nationals aged 23 to 25; four live in Westminster and one in Camden. Police said they have completed searches of properties in London, and cordons near the base were expected to be lifted on Wednesday.

The suspects are British nationals aged 23 to 25; four live in Westminster and one in Camden. Police said they have completed searches of properties in London, and cordons near the base were expected to be lifted on Wednesday.

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One of the five men arrested near the U.K.'s RAF Fairford called 999 himself in the early hours of Sunday, officials confirmed Tuesday evening, adding that the emergency call was placed roughly an hour before a farmer separately alerted police to a "large group of hooded and masked men" and three vans.

One of the five men arrested near the U.K.'s RAF Fairford called 999 himself in the early hours of Sunday, officials confirmed Tuesday evening, adding that the emergency call was placed roughly an hour before a farmer separately alerted police to a "large group of hooded and masked men" and three vans.

Laurence Taylor, head of Counter Terrorism Policing, defended the decision to bail the men, calling it "an investigative decision, and one which is grounded in experience and careful consideration of policing powers." He said the five remain under investigation and must follow "strict conditions."

Laurence Taylor, head of Counter Terrorism Policing, defended the decision to bail the men, calling it "an investigative decision, and one which is grounded in experience and careful consideration of policing powers." He said the five remain under investigation and must follow "strict conditions."

This comes as U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters Tuesday that he was "disappointed" that the five suspects were freed, saying they should not have been bailed. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Fox News the incident "clearly involves the hands of a foreign actor."

This comes as U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters Tuesday that he was "disappointed" that the five suspects were freed, saying they should not have been bailed. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Fox News the incident "clearly involves the hands of a foreign actor."

Cutting loose suspects picked up near a base that launches American bombers sends the worst possible signal. The law allows a two-week hold for a reason, and waving it away because everyone involved carries a British passport confuses paperwork with a threat assessment. It shows that the system is broken when a farmer does more to raise the alarm than the security apparatus does.

Cutting loose suspects picked up near a base that launches American bombers sends the worst possible signal. The law allows a two-week hold for a reason, and waving it away because everyone involved carries a British passport confuses paperwork with a threat assessment. It shows that the system is broken when a farmer does more to raise the alarm than the security apparatus does.

Chris Ryan

Panic over bail terms ignores what actually happened: the case cracked open from the inside, and that only works if investigators keep the phone line warm rather than slamming a cell door. An inquiry reaching toward foreign proxies needs evidence and cooperation, not a rushed detention clock. It is smart to release suspects under conditions while investigators trace their real network.

Panic over bail terms ignores what actually happened: the case cracked open from the inside, and that only works if investigators keep the phone line warm rather than slamming a cell door. An inquiry reaching toward foreign proxies needs evidence and cooperation, not a rushed detention clock. It is smart to release suspects under conditions while investigators trace their real network.

Fiona Hamilton

Linking Tehran to the arrest of five suspects near RAF Fairford is unfounded and malicious speculation. Spreading fabricated claims like these is irresponsible and risks fueling Iranophobia, particularly in the wake of U.S. and Israeli actions against Iran. Iran would be well within its rights to pursue legal measures to protect its interests.

Linking Tehran to the arrest of five suspects near RAF Fairford is unfounded and malicious speculation. Spreading fabricated claims like these is irresponsible and risks fueling Iranophobia, particularly in the wake of U.S. and Israeli actions against Iran. Iran would be well within its rights to pursue legal measures to protect its interests.

Iran (I.R.of) Embassy in UK

David Bown/Getty Images

UK Police: RAF Fairford Suspect Called 999 Himself

David Bown/Getty Images

UK Police: RAF Fairford Suspect Called 999 Himself

Terrorism

Military bases & personnel

Iran

Whilst there is still so much to uncover, it is clear that this attack was orchestrated by Tehran. Whether direct or through its proxies, there is only one actor who would pursue such a brazen act of aggression against a site which continues to assist U.S. action in the Middle East. A clear response must be sent that neither British sovereignty nor American interests will be shaken by such brazen hostility.

Whilst there is still so much to uncover, it is clear that this attack was orchestrated by Tehran. Whether direct or through its proxies, there is only one actor who would pursue such a brazen act of aggression against a site which continues to assist U.S. action in the Middle East. A clear response must be sent that neither British sovereignty nor American interests will be shaken by such brazen hostility.

RAF Fairford: 'Strong Indications' of Iranian Involvement, Says Burnham

UKRAF PoliceFairford: RAF'Strong FairfordIndications' Suspectof CalledIranian 999Involvement, HimselfSays Burnham

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RAF Fairford: 'Strong Indications' of Iranian Involvement, Says Burnham

UKRAF PoliceFairford: RAF'Strong FairfordIndications' Suspectof CalledIranian 999Involvement, HimselfSays Burnham

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