Armed British police swept in on five men near a key US air base in the west of England after a tip-off warned that three vans were heading towards RAF Fairford — an installation that has been used to launch strikes on Iran.
The men were arrested on suspicion of explosive and terrorism offences, and US President Donald Trump said the suspects were aiming to do “big damage” after coming under joint scrutiny from British and US authorities.
Counter-terrorism detectives leading the case said officers received a call in the early hours of this morning about three suspicious vehicles that appeared to be travelling towards RAF Fairford.
Armed officers detained five men, who were later held on suspicion of preparation of a terrorist act.
Police said they believed the incident was now contained.
Police working to understand circumstances
“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 had been set up around the base while the bomb disposal unit examined the vans. Residents from 85 homes in a nearby village were evacuated, and armed patrols were deployed around the site.
The British government — which has authorised the US to use bombers based at Fairford to strike Iranian missile sites that were attacking ships in the Strait of Hormuz — said British Prime Minister Andy Burnham was being kept informed as the situation developed.
Mr Burnham publicly praised the police and armed forces, writing 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 prepared to defend the country from any attack after Iran’s Revolutionary Guards warned London not to allow US bombers to fly from Fairford, saying any base used to launch attacks would be a legitimate target.
Authorities have not identified who they believe was behind today’s incident. A source familiar with the investigation said an Iranian-linked motive is considered the most likely, while a Russian sabotage operation or an Islamist plot are also being examined.
“The arrest in the UK was fantastic,” Mr Trump told reporters, calling it “an amazing job”.
“We had them under investigation. They were looking to do big damage to our port and working with the British worked out great … We had them under view for a long time, and we got them,” Mr Trump added.
By mid-morning, armed police had blocked access to the base, and heavy machinery was also positioned to prevent entry. Reuters witnesses said security had also been tightened at other US-used bases, with armoured vehicles and soldiers stationed at the gates of RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall in eastern England.
A US Air Force B-1 Lancer bomber is pictured on the tarmac at RAF Fairford base in Fairford
Declaration of major incident
“A cordon is in place as a precaution and the public can expect to see an emergency services presence in the area for some time,” Gloucestershire Police Assistant Chief Constable Richard Ocone told reporters
A spokesperson for the US Air Force declined to discuss specific force protection measures.
“The 501st Combat Support Wing and our fellow UK-based Wings remain vigilant and will take appropriate actions to ensure the safety and security of our US service members, civilians, contractors, and their families,” the spokesperson said.
“We constantly assess a variety of factors that determine what measures we institute or modify to protect our installations, our people and their families.”
British ministers have previously briefed providers of critical infrastructure on the threat posed by Russia, as the government grows increasingly concerned about potential sabotage operations and cyberattacks.
Russia denies carrying out hybrid attacks on Western nations.
In June 2025, a British military air base in central England was broken into by the Palestine Action protest group, which has since been proscribed as a terrorist organisation.
