British police arrested five men near a US air base in the west of England on Sunday on suspicion of explosive and terrorism offences. The men were detained after a tip-off that three vans were heading to the military airfield, which has been used to strike Iran. The incident prompted a 400-metre cordon around the base and the evacuation of 85 homes in a nearby village.
US President Donald Trump said the suspects had been looking to do "big damage" and had been under investigation by British and US authorities. Trump added that the arrest was "fantastic" and an "amazing job" by the British police. The US Air Force declined to discuss specific force protection measures but said they remained vigilant and would take appropriate actions to ensure the safety and security of their personnel.
British counter-terrorism detectives leading the investigation said police received a call about three suspicious vehicles heading towards RAF Fairford in the early hours of Sunday. Armed officers arrested the five men and later held them on suspicion of preparation of a terrorist act. Counter Terrorism Policing Senior National Coordinator Vicki Evans said the incident was now contained, but police were still in the early stages of the investigation.
The British government has given authorisation to the US to use bombers based at Fairford to strike Iranian missile sites that were attacking ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Prime Minister Andy Burnham was updated on the incident and thanked the police and armed forces for their response. Burnham said the incident would be deeply concerning for local residents and for many people following developments across the country.
An Iranian-linked motive is considered the most likely, but a Russian sabotage operation or an Islamist plot are also being looked at, according to a source familiar with the investigation. The incident comes after Britain said in July that its armed forces were ready to protect the country from any attack after Iran's Revolutionary Guards warned it not to allow US bombers to fly from Fairford.
On Sunday morning, the base was blocked by armed police, and large machinery prevented access. Reuters witnesses reported increased security at other bases used by the US, with armoured vehicles and soldiers at the gates of RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall in eastern England. Gloucestershire Police Assistant Chief Constable Richard Ocone told reporters that a cordon was in place as a precaution and the public could expect to see an emergency services presence in the area for some time.
The incident highlights the ongoing threat posed by various groups, including Russia, which denies mounting hybrid attacks on Western nations. British ministers have previously briefed providers of critical infrastructure on the threat posed by Russia, with the government increasingly concerned about possible sabotage operations and cyberattacks. A British military air base in central England was broken into in June 2025 by the Palestine Action protest group, which has since been proscribed as a terrorist organisation.
Key points
- The five men were arrested on suspicion of explosive and terrorism offences.
- The incident is believed to be linked to Iran, but a Russian sabotage operation or an Islamist plot are also being investigated.
- The US Air Force has increased security measures at its bases in the UK following the incident.
