‘Iranian spies’ attempt to break into UK’s nuclear missile base as two arrested
A man, 34, and a woman, 31, were allegedly turned away from Britain’s nuclear navel base for not having proper accreditation before they were observed ‘acting suspiciously’ and arrested
HM Naval Base Clyde(Image: PA)
A pair of “Iranian spies” were arrested after attempting to break into Britain’s nuclear missile base. A 34-year-old man, accompanied by a woman also believed to be Iranian, approached the gate of HM Naval Base Clyde on Thursday while traveling in a vehicle.
Britain’s four nuclear submarines are stationed at the base commonly known as Faslane. According to The Times, the pair were turned away due to a lack of security passes.
The pair were then seen to be “acting suspiciously” in the area and soon arrested. A Police Scotland spokesperson confirmed the incident, stating: “Around 5pm on Thursday, 19 March, 2026, we were made aware of two people attempting to enter HM Naval Base Clyde.
“A 34-year-old man and 31-year-old woman have been arrested in connection with this, and enquiries are ongoing.”
No additional details have been released regarding the nature of the suspicious behaviour, including whether the pair attempted to take photographs or engage in other prohibited activities at the base.
A Royal Navy spokesperson added: “Police Scotland have arrested two people who unsuccessfully attempted to enter HM Naval Base Clyde on Thursday 19 March. As the matter is subject to an ongoing investigation, we will not comment further.”
Faslane is the home of four Trident-armed ballistic missile submarines, which form the core of the UK’s continuous at-sea nuclear deterrent.
The base also hosts the Royal Navy’s seven Astute-class nuclear-powered attack submarines, capable of launching Tomahawk land-attack cruise missiles that can strike targets hundreds of miles inland with precision.
Last year, a serious nuclear incident took place at HM Naval Base Clyde. Figures obtained by The Herald revealed that a Category A event occurred in Faslane between January 1 and April 22 last year.
A Category A event can be defined as having an “actual or high potential for radioactive release to the environment” according to Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament and Ministry of Defence. However, there’s no suggestion this particular incident was of such a nature.
In answer to a written question from the outlet, the Minister for Defence Procurement Maria Eagle MP also confirmed five Category B incidents, 29 Category C incidents and 71 Category D incidents occurred between April 2024 and April 2025.
HMNB Clyde on Gare Loch – also known as ‘Faslane’ – is where all of the Royal Navy’s submarines are housed. This fleet includes Vanguard class vessels which are armed with nuclear Trident missiles, alongside the nuclear-powered Astude class hunter-killer vessels.
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