Iranian man and Romanian lady charged after two strive enter UK nuclear submarine base

On Mar 21, 2026

An Iranian man and a Romanian woman have been charged after two people tried to enter the naval base, which is the home to the UK’s nuclear deterrent.

A 34-year-old man and a 31-year-old woman were charged following the incident at HM Naval Base Clyde, which is known as Faslane, that holds some of Britain’s nuclear submarines.

The two reportedly tried to gain access to the base at around 5pm on Thursday (March 19) with Police Scotland being alerted to the incident.

The pair were both arrested on Thursday but had only been charged in connection with the incident this morning (March 21).

FASLANE, SCOTLAND - MARCH 04: A general view of His Majesty's Naval Base Clyde on March 04, 2025 in Faslane, Scotland. His Majesty's Naval Base (HMNB) Clyde, also known as Faslane, hosts the UK's nuclear submarines which are armed with Trident missiles and serve as the UK's nuclear deterrent. Last week Scotland's First Minister John Swinney backed Prime Minister Keir Starmer's plan to increase defense spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP by 2027, but defended his party's opposition to the Trident nuclear missile system, which had an annual running cost estimated at 6% of the defence budget in 2023-24. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) — Faslane is home to part of the UK’s nuclear submarine fleet (file)
(Image: Getty Images)

A statement from Police Scotland said: “Around 5pm on Thursday, March 19, 2026 we were made aware of two people attempting to enter HM Naval Base Clyde. A 34-year-old Iranian man and a 31-year-old Romanian woman have been arrested and charged in connection with the incident.

“They are due to appear at Dumbarton Sheriff Court on Monday, March 23. Inquiries are ongoing.”

A Vanguard-class submarine undergoes maintenance at HM Naval Base Clyde at Faslane, north-west of Glasgow, Scotland on April 28, 2023, as NATO's North Atlantic Council and Military Committee visit the base to discuss the UK's continued investment in its Nuclear deterrent and the ongoing role it plays in NATO. (Photo by Andy Buchanan / AFP) (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN/AFP via Getty Images) — Police Scotland were alerted to the incident at HM Naval Base Clyde at Faslane at 5pm on March 19 (file)
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

According to Press Association, the pair asked if they could enter the base but were refused permission and were then arrested shortly afterwards.

It is understood that they did not try to force their way into the base.

Faslane is home to the core of the UK’s submarine fleet and the Trident nuclear deterrent.

The Royal Navy has previously said that two people unsuccessfully tried to enter the base.

A Navy spokesperson said: “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.”

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