British police are questioning five men detained near the RAF Fairford airbase in Gloucestershire, England, on suspicion of explosives and terrorism offences. The men were arrested in the early hours of Sunday after a tip-off about three large white vans heading to the military airfield. The airbase has been used by the US to launch attacks on Iranian targets.
According to US President Donald Trump, the suspects were looking to do "big damage" and had been under investigation by British and US authorities. However, a local farmer reported that she had tipped off police after seeing a group of "hooded and masked men" running into the fields. The motive behind the suspected plot is still unclear.
British counterterrorism detectives are investigating the incident, but have not yet publicly stated who they believe was involved. A source familiar with the investigation said an Iranian-linked motive was considered the most likely, while a Russian sabotage operation or an Islamist plot were also being looked at as possibilities.
Defence minister Wes Streeting told BBC News that he would not speculate about the motives of a live investigation. However, he added that Iran and its proxies pose a threat to the UK, stating that "we know that Iran and their proxies wish to do us harm. We know that they hate our democracy, and we know that we regularly have to thwart Iranian attempts to threaten either our interests or indeed our allies."
The incident has led to increased security measures around the airbase and other US bases in Britain. A 400-metre cordon has been imposed around the base, and 85 homes have been evacuated. A bomb disposal robot was seen operating around the three white vans, while armed police stood guard at the main entrance.
The UK government had previously 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. Iran's Revolutionary Guards had warned Britain in July not to allow US bombers to fly from Fairford, saying any base used to launch attacks would be a legitimate target.
The British government has stated that Prime Minister Andy Burnham is being regularly updated on the incident, and he has cancelled attending at least two events at his Labour Party's annual conference on Sunday. In May, Britain sanctioned 12 individuals and entities linked to Iran, accusing them of involvement in hostile activity, including plotting attacks and providing financial services to groups seeking to destabilise the UK and other countries.
Key points
- Five men detained near RAF Fairford airbase on suspicion of explosives and terrorism offences.
- Investigation into possible Iranian-linked motive, Russian sabotage operation, or Islamist plot.
- Increased security measures around airbase and other US bases in Britain.
