British police arrested five men on September 27 on suspicion of explosives and terrorism offences near RAF Fairford, an air base in Gloucestershire, England, that has been used by the US to strike Iran. The arrests were made after a tip-off that three vans had been seen heading to the military airfield. The incident prompted a significant security response, with a 400-metre cordon put in place around the base and local residents evacuated.
US President Donald Trump said the suspects had been looking to do "big damage" and had been under investigation by British and US authorities. He praised the arrest, saying it was "an amazing job" and that the US had been monitoring the suspects for a long time. The incident has raised concerns about the security of US military bases in the UK, with increased security measures put in place at other bases used by the US.
The investigation, led by British counterterrorism detectives, is considering an Iranian-linked motive as the most likely, although a Russian sabotage operation or an Islamist plot are also being looked at. Police said they believed the incident was now contained, but were working closely with partners to understand the circumstances. Five men remain in custody, held on suspicion of preparation of a terrorist act.
Local residents reported suspicious activity in the early hours of September 27, with one farmer alerting police after seeing the vans and men acting suspiciously. A local councillor said there had been a recent security alert at Fairford and surveillance had been stepped up. The incident has highlighted the tensions between the US and Iran, with the US using RAF Fairford as a base to launch strikes against Iranian missile sites.
The British government has given authorization for the US to use bombers based at Fairford to strike Iranian missile sites that were attacking ships in the Strait of Hormuz. In July, Britain said 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. Prime Minister Andy Burnham was updated on the incident and thanked the police and armed forces for their response.
The US Air Force has declined to discuss specific force protection measures at the base, but a spokesperson said the 501st Combat Support Wing and other UK-based Wings remained vigilant and would take appropriate actions to ensure the safety and security of US service members and civilians. The incident has also raised concerns about the threat posed by Russia, with British ministers briefing providers of critical infrastructure on the threat of sabotage operations and cyberattacks.
The arrests near RAF Fairford have been seen as a significant success for British and US authorities, with Trump saying it was a result of close cooperation between the two countries. The incident has highlighted the ongoing security concerns surrounding US military bases in the UK and the tensions between the US and Iran. The investigation is ongoing, with police working to understand the circumstances of the incident and determine the motives of the suspects.
Key points
- Five men arrested near RAF Fairford airbase in England were looking to do "big damage", says US President Donald Trump.
- The incident has raised concerns about the security of US military bases in the UK and the tensions between the US and Iran.
- The investigation is considering an Iranian-linked motive, although a Russian sabotage operation or an Islamist plot are also being looked at.
