Takeaways from AP report on Iranian attack in Kuwait that killed 6 US soldiers and wounded dozens

On October 5, Reuters reported that the United States had removed its fleet of bombers from the British RAF Fairford airbase a week after the arrest of five men suspected of preparing terrorist acts as part of a plot possibly linked to Iran. The arrests occurred on September 27 near the base, which lies about 90 miles west of London.

Police were alerted by a local farmer who noticed three large white vans and masked men running into a field. The five suspects, all British nationals aged 23 to 25, were initially arrested on suspicion of explosives offenses and later on suspicion of terrorist preparation. They were released on bail a day later. US President Donald Trump stated that the perpetrators planned to inflict significant damage, while US Secretary of State Marco Rubio attributed the plot to a foreign actor.

In July, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards had suggested the base could be a legitimate target for attack. British counter-terrorism police later indicated they were investigating the possibility of foreign involvement, with Prime Minister Andy Burnham suggesting an Iranian connection. A 25-year-old dual UK-Iranian national was subsequently arrested in London, as part of a complex investigation.

A week after the initial arrests, all US bombers at RAF Fairford had returned to their home stations in the US, though the reason for their departure was not disclosed. A NATO military source noted that Iran remained a significant threat to US assets in the UK. Iran denied involvement in the plot and summoned the British ambassador in Tehran over the matter.

Counter-terrorism police stated that the investigation was complex, with no explosive devices found but a quantity of petrol recovered from the suspects' vehicles. The five men detained were later released on bail.