Two people suspected of being Iranian spies have been arrested after attempting to break into a nuclear missile base in Scotland.
Armed police rushed to HMNB Clyde yesterday to arrest a 34-year-old man and 31-year-old woman.
The high-security facility houses the Royal Navy’s nuclear deterrent submarines, which are equipped with Trident II missiles.
The man is thought to be an Iranian national, while the woman’s nationality had not been confirmed as of last night.
A Police Scotland spokesman said: “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 and enquiries are ongoing.”
A defence source told the Times: “Without the right passes to enter, they were both then turned away, it is understood. However, they were then arrested for “acting suspiciously in the vicinity.”
The arrests have raised concerns that the individuals may have been planning an attack or gathering intelligence on the base’s security systems.
Armed police rushed to HMNB Clyde yesterday to arrest a 34-year-old man and 31-year-old woman
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The investigation continues, with both Police Scotland and Ministry of Defence Police involved.
Faslane is home to four ballistic missile submarines equipped with Trident weapons, which are responsible for upholding the UK’s continuous at-sea nuclear deterrent.
The base also houses the Royal Navy’s seven Astute-class, nuclear-powered attack submarines.
These vessels are capable of launching Tomahawk land-attack cruise missiles, striking targets with high precision hundreds of miles inland.
There has been speculation that one of these submarines, HMS Anson, may be redeployed from Australia to the Gulf region to assist in protecting British forces from potential Iranian threats.
This comes as the conflict in the Middle East is about to enter its third week, with US-Israeli missiles continuing to strike Iran
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There have a history of warnings from the security services of the threats posed by Iran – specifically, how Tehran has been involved in more than 20 kidnappings and assassination plots.
The Islamic Republic have consistently denied this.
This week, two men were charged under the National Security Act following a counterterrorism investigation into alleged spying for Iran.
Nematollah Shahsavani, 40, and Alireza Farasati, 22, are accused of actions likely to assist a foreign intelligence service.
They were arrested on March 6.
The investigation relates to suspected surveillance of locations and individuals linked to London’s Jewish community.
Prosecutors allege the activity took place between July 9 and August 15 last year.
Two other men arrested on the same day were later released without charge.
The US-Israeli operation against Iran is about to enter its third week.
President Trump is applying increasing pressure on Iran to re-open to the Strait of Hormuz, as the critical shipping lane remains closed.
