U.S. officials on Friday detected unidentified drones flying over Fort McNair in Washington, D.C., where Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth maintain residences, according to a report by The Washington Post citing individuals familiar with the matter.
At the time of the report, officials had not determined the origin of the drones, the report said, citing sources briefed on the situation. But the presence of the drones prompted discussions among officials about potentially relocating Rubio and Hegseth, though a senior administration official said no such move has been carried out.
The report added that the U.S. military is increasing monitoring of potential threats amid heightened alert levels linked to the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.
Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell would not discuss the situation when approached by the Washington Post. “The department cannot comment on the secretary’s (Hegseth’s) movements for security reasons, and reporting on such movements is grossly irresponsible,” he told the outlet.
Meanwhile, a suspected security breach at one of the United Kingdom’s most sensitive military installations has resulted in the arrest of two individuals, including an Iranian national. The incident has raised new concerns as tensions escalate in the Middle East.
Authorities confirmed that the breach occurred on Thursday evening at HM Naval Base Clyde in Scotland, which is considered crucial to Britain’s nuclear deterrent. Police Scotland reported that officers were alerted around 5 p.m. when two individuals attempted to gain unauthorized access to the base, The Telegraph reported.
“Around 5 pm on Thursday, 19 March, 2026, we were made aware of two people attempting to enter HM Naval Base Clyde,” Police Scotland said in a statement. “A 34-year-old man and 31-year-old woman have been arrested in connection and inquiries are ongoing.”
According to The Telegraph, the man involved is an Iranian national, but the identity and nationality of the woman have not yet been disclosed. Officials report that the pair were initially turned away for failing to present the necessary credentials to enter the base.
They were later detained nearby for allegedly acting suspiciously in the surrounding area. A spokesperson for the Royal Navy confirmed the arrests but declined to provide further details, citing an ongoing investigation, said the outlet.
“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,” the spokesperson said.
The location of the incident is especially important. HM Naval Base Clyde, commonly known as Faslane, is the main hub for the United Kingdom’s submarine fleet. This includes vessels that are directly linked to the country’s nuclear weapons program. The base accommodates both conventionally armed attack submarines and the Vanguard-class ballistic missile submarines, which are responsible for carrying the UK’s nuclear deterrent.
“Five of those are conventionally-armed nuclear-powered attack submarines of the Astute class. A further four are ballistic missile submarines (SSBN) of the Vanguard class that comprise the UK’s submarine-based nuclear deterrent,” the UK government said.
Military officials have long regarded Faslane as one of the most strategically important sites in the United Kingdom, making any unauthorized attempt to access the facility a significant security concern. While investigators have not publicly connected the suspects to a broader operation, the timing of the incident has drawn attention amid the escalating conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel.
The war, now entering its third week, has expanded beyond its initial flashpoints. U.S. and Israeli forces have carried out coordinated strikes targeting Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and military leadership, prompting a large-scale response from Tehran.
President Trump said over the weekend that talks with Iran’s current leadership were making substantial progress, indicating that the conflict may soon come to an end.
