How RAF Fairford 'bomb plot' narrative fell apart as US and UK made competing claims

On Monday morning it was widely reported that what seemed to be a major planned terrorist attack on an American base in Britain had been narrowly averted. Five men were arrested on suspicion of terrorist offences near RAF Fairford, the base from which US bombers have attacked Iranian missile sites, on Sunday morning. The incident was widely reported to be an apparent foiled bomb plot. Barrels were found in three vans near the base which newspapers suggested may have contained homemade explosives. Indicating the seriousness of the situation, Prime Minister Andy Burnham held a Cobra meeting on Monday afternoon. Read more: How RAF Fairford 'bomb plot' narrative fell apart as US and UK made competing claims Armed police outside the RAF Fairford base in Gloucestershire, south-west England, 28 September 2026 (AFP)