Trump and Rubio question U.K. handling of possible plot against air base after 5 men released on bail

Updated on: September 29, 2026 / 7:38 PM EDT / CBS News

London — President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have criticized British counterterror police's handling of a possible plot targeting a U.K. air base used by U.S. forces, with Rubio calling it a "very serious" incident and alleging that it "clearly involved" a foreign actor, and the president suggesting it "might be" Iran.

Five British nationals, all men in their mid-20s, were arrested Sunday morning in an English village near the British air force base RAF Fairford on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act. The base has been used by American bombers to launch attacks on Iran during the seven-month war.

All five men were released on bail Monday, with the head of the U.K.'s Counter Terror Policing unit stressing they would remain "subject to stringent conditions on their movement and contact with others" and that they "absolutely remain under investigation as we explore multiple lines of enquiry."

The fact that they were released so quickly and not charged with any suspected crimes, and that authorities did not report finding any explosives or weapons, has fueled speculation, however, that the men may not have been planning to…

Original source: https://www.cbsnews.com/moneywatch/