Rubio Says ‘Foreign Actor’ Involved in RAF Fairford Plot

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said a “foreign actor” was involved in the suspected terror plot near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, as questions continue over the release on bail of five British men arrested near the military base.

Rubio made the comments after President Donald Trump criticised the decision to release the suspects, while British counter-terrorism police stressed that the investigation remains active and that the men are subject to stringent bail conditions.

Five Men Arrested Near RAF Fairford

The investigation began in the early hours of Sunday after Gloucestershire Police received a report at about 12.45am concerning three suspicious vehicles travelling towards RAF Fairford, which is used extensively by the United States Air Force.

Armed officers responded and arrested five men in the Whelford area. The suspects, all British nationals from London aged in their 20s, were initially detained on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act and were later arrested on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act.

The alert was raised by a local farmer who said she encountered several masked or hooded men near three white vans. She later said she believed there had been more than five people at the scene.

About 85 homes were evacuated as police, military personnel, bomb disposal specialists and forensic teams examined the area and the vehicles.

Trump Says Suspects Planned ‘Big Damage’

Speaking later on Sunday, Trump said the suspects had been “looking to do big damage” and praised the arrests.

He subsequently said US authorities knew about the suspects and suggested further information would emerge.

However, questions arose over the apparent differences between the US account and information released by British authorities. UK counter-terrorism police have not publicly confirmed Trump's suggestion that the men had been under investigation for an extended period.

Suspects Released on Bail

On Monday, Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, head of UK Counter Terrorism Policing, announced that all five suspects would be released on police bail following extensive interviews and inquiries.

Taylor stressed that their release did not mean the investigation had ended. The men remain under investigation and are subject to strict restrictions on their movements and contact with other people.

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Police said investigators were examining multiple possibilities, including whether individuals or proxies may have been acting, knowingly or unknowingly, on behalf of a foreign state.

Authorities have not publicly identified any country as being responsible.

Iran has denied involvement in the incident. Speculation about a possible Iranian connection has been heightened by RAF Fairford's use by US forces during operations against Iran and previous Iranian threats against the base.

Trump Questions Decision to Release Suspects

Trump reacted to the bail decision on Monday by saying he was surprised the five men had been released.

“I wouldn't have done that,” the US president said, adding that the United States knew “everything about them” and would not have released them.

British authorities have defended the investigative process and stressed that decisions concerning police bail are operational matters.

Deputy Prime Minister Lucy Powell said she trusted the judgement of police and praised the work of the police and intelligence services.

Powell said UK intelligence services had been heavily involved in the operation but reiterated that ministers were not responsible for deciding whether suspects should be released on police bail.

Rubio Says ‘Foreign Actor’ Involved

The latest intervention came from Rubio, who described the incident as extremely serious and said it “clearly involves the hands of a foreign actor”.

Rubio did not identify the country he believed was involved or publicly provide evidence supporting the claim.

He acknowledged concerns over the release of the suspects, saying many people were “disturbed” by the news, but also praised British authorities for their cooperation with the United States.

Rubio said Washington remained in contact with British officials and suggested that further information about the incident would emerge in the coming days.

He also referred to threats against American interests overseas, specifically mentioning Iran, although he stopped short of directly accusing Tehran of involvement in the RAF Fairford incident.

Police Cordon Remains in Place

Security remained heightened around RAF Fairford on Tuesday as the investigation entered its third day.

Residents evacuated from nearby properties were allowed to return to their homes on Monday, but a police cordon remained around the three vehicles at the centre of the investigation.

Police have urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity as investigators continue examining the scene.

Restrictions have also been imposed on aircraft flying within a four-mile radius of RAF Fairford until 5 October.

Despite the increasingly strong statements from US officials, British counter-terrorism police have maintained a more cautious position, saying they are keeping an open mind and examining every possible line of inquiry, including potential foreign-state involvement.

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29 September 2026