British police are questioning five men arrested on suspicion of explosives and terrorism-related crimes after they were caught near RAF Fairford air base in western England. The base is used by the US military for operations against Iran. The arrests were made early on Sunday morning after police received a report of three large white trucks heading towards the base.
According to a New York Times report, the US uses RAF Fairford for military operations against Iran. The base has a 9,990-foot-long runway, making it one of the few European bases capable of handling heavy bombers. The base was opened in preparation for D-Day in 1944 and has a long history of use by the US military.
The five men were arrested after police received a report of suspicious vehicles heading towards the base. The police responded quickly, and a bomb disposal unit was deployed to the scene. A security cordon was set up around a quarter of a mile from the area. The police have not released the names of the arrested men, citing British police rules that protect the identities of suspects until they are formally charged.
The incident has raised concerns about the security of the air base and the potential involvement of Iran. In July, Iran's Revolutionary Guard warned Britain that allowing US bombers to launch strikes against Iran from Fairford or other bases would make these sites legitimate targets for Iran. The British government has accused a group linked to the Revolutionary Guard of directing a wave of attacks against Jews in Britain and elsewhere in Europe.
US President Donald Trump praised British law enforcement agencies, suggesting that the suspects were already under surveillance. He said, "We were investigating them... They were looking to do a lot of damage to our base, and it worked out great with the British." The US military has referred questions about the incident to British authorities.
Around 85 families were evacuated from the area near the base as a precautionary measure. A recreational center was set up to accommodate those who were evacuated and could not stay elsewhere. The police have promised to work quickly to return the families to their homes. The incident has been described as "extremely concerning" by British Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
The investigation is ongoing, with police working closely with their partners to understand the circumstances of the incident. The police have not confirmed whether the incident is linked to the conflict between the US and Iran. The US military has stated that it remains vigilant and will take necessary actions to ensure the safety and security of US personnel and civilians.
Key points
- Five men were arrested on suspicion of explosives and terrorism-related crimes near RAF Fairford air base in western England.
- The air base is used by the US military for operations against Iran.
- The incident has raised concerns about the security of the air base and potential involvement of Iran.
