Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that a thwarted terror plot near a United Kingdom military base used by the United States involved a foreign actor, linking the incident to broader threats from adversaries including Iran. Rubio described the situation as «very serious» and said there would be repercussions for any attempt against American interests.
«What happened, what almost happened, what could have happened in the U.K. over the weekend is a very serious situation,» Rubio told Fox News' «Hannity» on Monday night. «It's one that clearly involves the hands of a foreign actor.» He declined to provide further details, saying only that more information would emerge in the coming days.
British police declared a major incident at RAF Fairford base in western England following arrests early Sunday, and the government convened a national emergency meeting. Authorities released five individuals on bail Monday but said the investigation was ongoing, including whether individuals acting for a foreign state were involved.
Rubio thanked the United Kingdom for its cooperation in thwarting what he called a «very serious threat.» «I want to thank the U.K. for their cooperation and their help on it,» he said. «There's a lot more news that will come out on this in the days to come. But there's only so much I can say right now at this point about it, other than this was a very serious thing, and it was responded to appropriately.»
The secretary of state tied the plot to the global threat environment, specifically citing Iran. «I think it ties us to the reality here, and that is, we are dealing with elements in the world, and in the case of Iran, for example, who have openly threatened to attack American interests globally,» Rubio said. «We're going to always take that very seriously. There will be repercussions for that, if it ever were to happen or even attempted.»
President Donald Trump told reporters at the White House on Monday that the incident «might be» connected to Iran, which the United States has been at war with. The president's comments came as Rubio also questioned the «point» of NATO after allies blocked the US from using bases during the Iran conflict.
The investigation at RAF Fairford remains active, with British authorities examining possible foreign state involvement. The base is used by the United States military, making the plot a direct concern for American security officials. Rubio's confirmation of a foreign actor adds a significant diplomatic dimension to the case, which has already prompted a national emergency response in the UK.
Rubio's remarks underscore the ongoing tensions between the United States and Iran, as well as the broader challenge of protecting American interests and personnel abroad. The secretary of state's warning of repercussions signals that the US is prepared to respond if threats materialize or are attempted in the future.
The incident also highlights the close cooperation between US and UK intelligence and law enforcement. British police acted quickly to arrest suspects and declared a major incident, while the government held an emergency meeting. The release of the five individuals on bail does not mean the investigation is closed, and authorities continue to probe whether a foreign state directed the plot.
As more details emerge, the case is likely to fuel further debate about security at military installations, the nature of foreign threats, and the adequacy of allied cooperation. Rubio's comments suggest the US will take a firm stance, but he also emphasized that much remains undisclosed. «There's only so much I can say right now,» he said, indicating that the full picture is still developing.