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, 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.
“We are in the early stages of an investigation, and five men remain in custody,” Counter Terrorism Policing Senior National Coordinator Vicki Evans said in a statement.
“As you would expect we are working closely with our partners to understand the circumstances of the incident.”
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”.
Britain said in July 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, saying any base used to launch attacks would be a legitimate target. (Reuters)