{
  "id": 10409389,
  "title": "Counter-terror police investigate Iran link over suspected bomb plot at RAF base used by US",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/28/counter-terror-police-investigate-iran-link-over-suspected-bomb-plot",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-28T09:21:45.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "People Daily Kenya",
    "slug": "people-daily-kenya",
    "url": "https://peopledaily.digital/news/counter-terror-police-investigate-iran-link-over-suspected-bomb-plot-at-raf-base-used-by-us"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Counter-terrorism police are investigating whether Iran is responsible for a suspected bomb plot following the discovery of explosives in three vans near an RAF base used by US military personnel. Five men were arrested on terrorism charges after being found in the vans, with investigators examining materials found in the vehicles, which were consistent with improvised explosive devices. The incident occurred after five men were arrested on suspicion of committing offences under the Explosives Act and preparation of a terrorist act. The arrests came after a member of the public spotted the suspicious vans and called 999, leading to the evacuation of 85 households in the nearby village of Whelford and the deployment of bomb robots to examine the vehicles. Tests are ongoing to determine if the suspected explosive devices were viable. The men arrested were also seen in images with their shirts off, which could indicate a precautionary measure against suicide vests or concealed weapons. One of the vans carried the logo of a fuel company, but the real fuel company firmly denied any connection to the incident. The counter-terrorism police stated that the arrests were made at around 12:45 am on Sunday, September 27th, on suspicion of committing offences under the Explosives Act and preparation of a terrorist act. The investigation into the plot, which appeared to have been foiled by chance, has raised questions regarding the UK's readiness to protect itself from potential attacks, as the threat level remains at severe.",
  "summary": "Counter-terrorism police are investigating whether Iran is behind a suspected bomb plot after armed officers found explosives on three vans parked minutes from an RAF base used by the US military. The Guardian understands that after five men were arrested on terrorism charges, investigators were examining materials found in the vans, with an initial view […]",
  "key_points": [
    "Counter-terrorism police probing suspected Iran link to bomb plot at RAF base",
    "Five men arrested on terrorism charges for explosives and terrorist preparation",
    "Investigation ongoing to determine if explosives were viable and plot foiled"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": "https://urgent.news/ill/10409389.png",
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 7,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Al-Monitor",
        "title": "UK counter-terror police question five men held at airbase used by US to attack Iran",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/28/uk-counter-terror-police-question-five-men-held-at-airbase-used-by-us",
        "published": "2026-09-28T07:46:28.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "RTE News",
        "title": "Police probe Iran link to suspected RAF base terror plot",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/28/police-probe-iran-link-to-suspected-raf-base-terror-plot",
        "published": "2026-09-28T08:30:07.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Al Jazeera",
        "title": "Police probe ‘terror’ incident near RAF base used in Iran war: What we know",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/28/police-probe-terror-incident-near-raf-base-used-in-iran-war-what-we",
        "published": "2026-09-28T08:44:16.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Ajel English",
        "title": "UK defense minister: Too early to speculate on Iran link to airbase incident",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/28/uk-defense-minister-too-early-to-speculate-on-iran-link-to-airbase",
        "published": "2026-09-28T08:54:27.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Voice of Ukraine",
        "title": "Five arrested over alleged terror plot at UK air base, suspects linked to Iran",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/28/five-arrested-over-alleged-terror-plot-at-uk-air-base-suspects-linked",
        "published": "2026-09-28T09:16:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Maverick",
        "title": "UK counter-terror police question five men held at airbase used by US to attack Iran",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/28/uk-counter-terror-police-question-five-men-held-at-airbase-used-by-us-10434483",
        "published": "2026-09-28T11:56:53.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}