Trump ‘surprised’ U.K. air base terror suspects out on bail

U.S. President Donald Trump has said that he was “surprised” that the suspects arrested in connection with an alleged plot at U.K. air base RAF Fairford, in Gloucestershire, were released on bail on Monday (September 28, 2026).

Five British nationals, all men in their twenties, were arrested on Sunday (September 27, 2026) after Gloucestershire police received a call at 4 a.m. on Sunday morning, about three suspicious vehicles near the base, which is used by U.S. forces to conduct strikes on Iran.

“I’m surprised that they released them,” Mr. Trump told reporters, even as he praised the U.K. authorities for working “very closely” with the U.S.

“We know everything about them; we would not have released them,” he added.

Asked if the incident was connected to Iran, Mr. Trump said it “might be”, later saying he knows the answer (to who is involved) but would rather not say.

A foreign actor was “ clearly involved” in the incident, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said.

The Iranian Embassy in London “categorically” rejected the notion that it was planning an attack on the airbase.

The men, who were arrested first under the Explosives Act and then under the Terrorism Act, still continue to be suspects, Lawrence Taylor, head of U.K. Counterterrorism Policing said.

The suspects, who are all in their twe were released subject to conditions on their movement and contacts with others, he added. According to Mr Taylor, the police were also considering the possibility that the activity might have been undertaken by “proxies”, acting knowingly or unknowingly on behalf of a foreign state.

Deputy Leader of Labour, Lucy Powell pushed back against comments from across the Atlantic, saying on Tuesday (September 29, 2026) that she trusted the police regarding  decisions on bail. In the U.K., suspects can be released on ‘police bail’ before they are charged.

Residents of Whelford village which was evacuated on Sunday morning were told they could return home on Monday.