Police checkpoints remained on Tuesday (September 29) on roads outside an airbase in Britain used by the United States.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the "hands of a foreign actor" were involved in an incident in which five men were arrested on suspected explosives and terrorism offences near the airbase used by US forces to strike Iran.

British police declared a major incident at the RAF Fairford base in western England following the arrests early on Sunday (September 27), and the government held a national emergency meeting.

British police released the five on bail on Monday (September 28) and said the investigation was not over and that they were examining whether individuals acting for a foreign state were involved.

A source familiar with the situation told Reuters that three large white vans the men appeared to travel in had not contained viable explosives.

The source said Sunday's police response had not been intelligence-led - an indication that the five were not under direct surveillance - but security had been beefed up at the base, suggesting there was information it was being targeted.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

FAIRFORD, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (SEPTEMBER 29, 2026) (REUTERS – Access all)

1. VARIOUS OF ARMED POLICE AND POLICE VEHICLES AT CHECKPOINT ON ROAD OUTSIDE RAF FAIRFORD

2. SIGN READING (English): ‘POLICE STOP’

3. POLICE CHECKPOINT, POLICE OFFICER WAVING TO TRUCK DRIVER AS THEY DRIVE PAST CHECKPOINT

4. ARMED POLICE OFFICER

5. POLICE VEHICLE PULLING AWAY FROM CHECKPOINT

6. POLICE VEHICLE DRIVING DOWN ROAD

7. ARMED POLICE OFFICER

8. ARMED POLICE OFFICERS, POLICE VEHICLE

9. VARIOUS OF FENCES OUTSIDE RAF FAIRFORD