British police arrested five men on suspicion of explosives and terrorism offences on Sunday near an air base that has been used by the US to strike Iran. The men were arrested after a tip-off that three vans had been seen heading to the military airfield. US President Donald Trump said the suspects had been looking to do "big damage" and had been under investigation by British and US authorities.
British counterterrorism detectives leading the investigation said police had received a call about three suspicious vehicles that appeared to be travelling towards RAF Fairford in the west of England in the early hours of Sunday. Five men were arrested by armed officers and later held on suspicion of preparation of a terrorist act. Police, who said they believed the incident was now contained, have not yet publicly stated who they assessed was involved.
An Iranian-linked motive is considered the most likely, a source familiar with the investigation said, while a Russian sabotage operation or an Islamist plot were also being looked at. Police said a 400-metre cordon was in place around the base as the bomb disposal unit investigated the vans. Local residents in 85 homes in a nearby village were evacuated and armed officers were patrolling the site.
The British government, which 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, said Prime Minister Andy Burnham was being updated on the incident. Burnham thanked the police and armed forces, saying on X: "I know today's incident near RAF Fairford will be deeply concerning for local residents and for many people following developments across the country".
Trump told reporters that the arrest in the UK was "fantastic" and an "amazing job". "We had them under investigation. They were looking to do big damage to our fort and working with the British worked out great ... We had them under view for a long time, and we got them," Trump added. On Sunday morning the base was blocked by armed police while large machinery also prevented access.
A local farmer told the Daily Telegraph newspaper she had alerted police after seeing the vans and men acting suspiciously as she drove home from a party. "I saw a group of Middle Eastern-looking young guys running off through the trees. Some of them had masks or balaclavas on, and they all scattered ahead of us as we drove back past," she told the paper.
British ministers have also previously briefed providers of critical infrastructure on the threat posed by Russia, with the government increasingly concerned about possible sabotage operations and cyberattacks. The US Air Force declined to discuss specific force protection measures at the base, but said they remain vigilant and will take appropriate actions to ensure the safety and security of their personnel.
Key points
- The five men were arrested on suspicion of explosives and terrorism offences near RAF Fairford in the west of England.
- US President Donald Trump said the suspects had been looking to do "big damage" and had been under investigation by British and US authorities.
- An Iranian-linked motive is considered the most likely, but a Russian sabotage operation or an Islamist plot are also being investigated.
