Did a farmer foil a plot to attack a UK military base?

In the early hours of Sunday morning, three vans were spotted near a British military base used by the United States for its bombing operations in Iran. A huge police operation followed, bomb disposal teams were spotted on the scene, and five men were arrested on suspicion of explosive and terrorism offences. Donald Trump said the men were “looking to do big damage to our fort” and that “we had them under investigation”.

The suspects – all British nationals – were released on police bail on Monday afternoon, leaving questions about how dangerous a plot this was alleged to be.

What is going on? We speak to Nick Aldworth, a former Detective Chief Superintendent in UK Counter Terrorism Policing.

Producers: Aron Keller, Mhairi MacKenzie, Lucy Pawle and Valerio Esposito

Mix: Travis Evans

Digital producer: Charlie Firth

Executive producer: James Shield

Senior news editor: China Collins

Photo: B‑1B Lancer bomber is parked at the RAF Fairford airbase, in Fairford, Gloucestershire, Britain, September 27, 2026. Credit: Reuters/Toby Shepheard