Trump says more details coming on RAF Fairford terror arrests

US President Donald Trump said on September 27, 2026, that more information would soon emerge about the five men arrested near RAF Fairford, the Gloucestershire air base hosting US Air Force bombers used in strikes against Iran.

Speaking to reporters at Joint Base Andrews that evening, Trump said he knew all about the suspects and added: “You’ll be hearing about it very soon.” He did not elaborate.

Earlier the same day in Chicago, Trump described the arrests as the result of cooperation between US and British authorities. He said the men “were looking to do big damage” and had been “under view for a long time.”

Trump account differs from reported police chronology

British police have not corroborated Trump’s account of prior surveillance. Police statements describe the arrests as following a call reporting suspicious vehicles and make no reference to prior surveillance.

According to a Counter Terrorism Policing statement published by the Metropolitan Police, officers received a call at around 00:45 local time on September 27, 2026, about three suspicious vehicles that appeared to be traveling toward RAF Fairford.

The Telegraph reports that the call came from a local farmer who encountered the vans while driving home from a party and saw several masked men run into nearby fields.

Armed officers responded and arrested five men in the nearby village of Whelford on suspicion of offenses under the Explosives Act. The men were subsequently arrested on suspicion of preparation of a terrorist act under Section 5 of the Terrorism Act.

According to BBC, the five men arrested near RAF Fairford over suspicion of offenses under the UK’s Explosives Act in the have been additionally charged with “plotting to commit a terrorist act.” This comes following a press conference by police. No state or non-state actor… pic.twitter.com/R0Jea1forU— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) September 27, 2026

A cordon of 400 meters (approximately 1,300 feet) was established around the vehicles while the British Army’s explosive ordnance disposal unit examined them. Around 85 households were evacuated as a precaution.

RAF Fairford – crash gates blocked by heavy plant vehicles to prevent VBIED attacks pic.twitter.com/nRpivd0pMe— Adastral Trader (@adastral_trader) September 27, 2026

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans, the senior national coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing, said the investigation was in its early stages and that the five men remained in custody.

The 501st Combat Support Wing, which oversees US Air Force operations at Fairford, told Axios that no US Air Force personnel were involved in the incident.

RAF Fairford has been central to US operations against Iran

A US Air Force B-1B Lancer bomber taxiing at RAF Fairford. (Credit: U.S. Air Force photo)RAF Fairford is the US Air Force’s dedicated forward operating location for heavy bombers in Europe.

Eighteen B-1B Lancer and B-52H Stratofortress bombers arrived there between March 6 and 13, 2026, to fly missions in the US-led air campaign against Iran.

Their continuous use of the base led organizers to cancel the 2026 Royal International Air Tattoo.

Security precautions at RAF Fairford had already intensified before the arrests. Aviation spotters reported B-1B bombers being dispersed across separate parking stands on September 26, 2026.

Spotters at Fairford this week have noted that security measures at the base are significantly increased compared with the last 7-8 months.Reports say FPCON Delta is current at Fairford, and FPCON Charlie is now in place at Lakenheath & possibly Mildenhall…@MATA_osint https://t.co/RSKzM9enIV pic.twitter.com/vPZyX829r7— DefenceGeek (@DefenceGeek) September 26, 2026

British bases have already been exposed to the conflict. A drone struck RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus in the early hours of March 2, 2026, causing minor damage and no casualties.

Possible Iran link under investigation

Investigators are examining whether the incident may have a connection to Iran, according to several media reports. ITV News reported that investigators were examining whether representatives of the Iranian regime had paid others to carry out the suspected plot, a possibility police have not publicly confirmed.

The possibility is being examined against the backdrop of previous Iranian warnings concerning RAF Fairford.

In July 2026, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said bases used to launch attacks against Iranian territory would be regarded as legitimate targets. The warning specifically referred to US B-1 bombers operating from RAF Fairford.The post Trump says more details coming on RAF Fairford terror arrests appeared first on AeroTime.

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