Five men were arrested near RAF Fairford in west England on Sunday on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act. Police responded after receiving a tip about three suspicious vans heading to the military airfield, which has been used by the US to launch strikes against Iran. The arrests came after a joint investigation by British and US authorities.
US President Donald Trump called the arrests “fantastic” and said the suspects had been under surveillance for some time. “They were looking to do big damage to our fort,” Trump told reporters. “We had them under view for a long time, and we got them.” The president praised the cooperation between British and American officials.
Armed officers detained the five men after responding to an early-morning report of three vans travelling toward the base. Officers established a 400-metre cordon around RAF Fairford while bomb disposal teams examined the vehicles. About 85 nearby homes were evacuated as a precaution, and armed patrols remained on site.
Counter Terrorism Policing Senior National Coordinator Vicki Evans said the investigation was still at an early stage. “We are working closely with our partners to understand the circumstances of the incident,” she said. Police have not publicly identified the suspects or confirmed any motive.
A source familiar with the investigation told Reuters an Iranian-linked motive is the most likely, though officials are also considering a possible Russian sabotage operation or Islamist plot. The British government has previously warned of threats from Iran and Russia, especially after Iran’s Revolutionary Guards warned the UK not to allow US bombers to fly from Fairford. The Iranian group said any base used for attacks on Iran would be a legitimate target.
Local councillor Tristan Wilkinson said there had been a recent security alert at the base. “There was a specific threat about six weeks ago from the Iranians on this base. At the time, there was increased surveillance around the area,” he said.
A local farmer told the Daily Telegraph she had alerted police after seeing masked men acting suspiciously near the base in the early hours. She described seeing a group of Middle Eastern-looking young men wearing masks or balaclavas running through trees and scattering into fields. “You don’t see masked men running around at half one in the morning near a secure air base and not have concerns,” she said.
The British government has authorised the US to use bombers based at Fairford to strike Iranian missile sites that attacked ships in the Strait of Hormuz. The base is home to US forces, including the 501st Combat Support Wing. A US Air Force spokesperson declined to discuss specific security measures but said the wing and other UK-based units “remain vigilant and will take appropriate actions to ensure the safety and security” of personnel.
Security was increased at other US bases in England after the arrests. Reuters witnesses reported armoured vehicles and soldiers at the gates of RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall in eastern England on Sunday morning.
British ministers have warned of possible sabotage and cyberattacks by Russia on critical infrastructure. Russia denies mounting hybrid attacks on Western countries.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham was kept informed about the incident. He thanked police and the armed forces on social media, writing: “I know today’s incident near RAF Fairford will be deeply concerning for local residents and for many people following developments across the country.”
The arrests come amid heightened tensions over military activity linked to Iran and ongoing concerns about threats to UK and US installations. Authorities continue to investigate the motives behind the attempted attack and the full extent of the plot remains under review.
According to Joy Online.
