Trump and Rubio Question U.K. Handling of Air Base Plot After Five Men Released on Bail

Trump and Rubio criticize U.K. counterterror response after five men linked to air base plot released on bail.

September 29, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — London, United Kingdom — President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have raised concerns over the U.K.’s handling of an alleged plot targeting a British air base used by American forces, with both officials suggesting foreign involvement and questioning the decision to release five suspects on bail.

The incident involved five British men in their mid-20s arrested near RAF Fairford, a base used by U.S. bombers in the ongoing conflict with Iran. All were released on Monday without charges, sparking debate over whether they were planning an attack or simply attempting to steal fuel, as some local reports suggest.

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Trump expressed surprise at the release, stating he would not have let them go, while Rubio called the situation “very serious” and implied foreign interference. Meanwhile, British authorities emphasized that the suspects remain under investigation, though no explosives were found during the search. Iranian officials denied any connection to the arrests, while analysts pointed to a pattern of foreign actors using unwitting individuals for sabotage.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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