British counter-terror officers are examining whether Iran had any connection to a suspected plot targeting RAF Fairford, a military airbase used by US heavy bombers, after armed police intercepted three vans heading towards the site.
Five men were arrested on suspicion of explosives and terrorism offences when officers stopped the vehicles near the Gloucestershire village of Whelford in the early hours of yesterday.
US President Donald Trump later said the group had been “looking to do big damage”.
However, the Press Association understands the police operation was not intelligence-led, indicating investigators were not aware of any potential plot in advance.
A plane at RAF Fairford after the major incident was declared
A local resident called 999 after seeing the vehicles “blocking the road” and then noticing a “large group of hooded and ‘balaclava’d’ men”.
She said the men “would have seen the bright headlights” and “they probably thought we were the police (and) panicked”.
Speaking to PA, she added: “It would appear that by doing so I just derailed whatever they were planning.”
Officers reached the area around 15 minutes after she raised the alarm, she said.
‘Astonishing’
The woman said residents were told at the time that the base had gone into lockdown because of a “terror threat”.
“A plucky amateur shouldn’t be spotting an unusual bit of activity at 1am when the air base is on high alert,” she told PA.
“I think it’s absolutely astonishing.”
A pensioner living nearby also described what appeared to be tighter security at Fairford in recent weeks, saying heavy tractor-like vehicles had been stationed there and concrete walls placed behind the gates.
Gloucestershire Constabulary said it received reports at about 12.45am on Sunday of suspicious vehicles travelling towards the base.
Police initially detained the men under the Explosives Act, before later further arresting them on suspicion of preparation of a terrorist act.
Armed police manning a cordon near the village of Whelford
Under the Terrorism Act 2000, suspects can be held for up to 14 days without charge, compared with a 24-hour limit for standard arrests unless an extension is granted.
Aerial footage showed a bomb disposal robot spending hours examining three white vans, two with their rear doors open. Large black barrels could be seen scattered around.
A 400-metre cordon was put in place and 85 households evacuated, with residents unable to return home overnight. Cotswold District Council was seeking accommodation for some.
By the evening, the Army’s ordnance disposal unit was still assessing the vehicles inside the cordon, Temporary Chief Constable Maggie Blyth of Bedfordshire Constabulary said at a press conference.
Agencies “believe the matter to be contained”, she later added.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham described the incident as “deeply concerning” and said the Government would “always take every step necessary” to keep people safe.
Investigators are expected to analyse any devices seized from those arrested as they work to establish the nature of any plot and identify any potential motivation.
The arrests come at a time of heightened concern over hostile-state threats to the UK, with Russia and Iran among those accused of using proxies to carry out crimes on British soil.
In March, officials said the number of national security cases linked to activity by hostile states including Iran rose by 50% in the six months to December 2025.
That same month, after then prime minister Keir Starmer authorised “defensive” US action against Iranian missile sites from UK bases, four American bombers arrived at RAF Fairford and the US began using British bases for “specific defensive operations”.
Separately, a series of antisemitic attacks on Jewish sites in London this year were claimed by Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia — the Islamic Movement of the Companions of the Right (Hayi) — which is thought to be backed by Iran.
A military vehicle at RAF Fairford
Mr Starmer banned support for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Hayi in July.
Under state threat powers, anyone who supports or assists the groups could face a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison, though ministers will first need parliamentary approval.
The Fairford incident also unfolded against the backdrop of ongoing war between the US and Iran.
RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk confirmed it was at Charlie alert, the second-highest threat level issued by the US Department of Defence.
The confirmation to PA came amid reports that RAF Fairford had been raised to the top-level Delta alert.
At a fringe event at the Labour Party conference, Defence Secretary Wes Streeting was asked whether Iran was involved in the suspected plot.
He said: “I’m not going to comment on the underlying motivations of those who’ve been arrested today, or indeed the, sort of, the genesis of their activity, I think it’s far too early to comment or speculate, and it would be irresponsible of me to do so.”
A USAF spokesperson said personnel at RAF Fairford “remain vigilant” but added: “for operational security reasons we will not discuss specific force protection measures”.
The spokesperson said the 501st Combat Support Wing and UK counterparts “will take appropriate actions to ensure the safety and security of our US service members, civilians, contractors, and their families”.
According to its website, the 501st is “the only combat support wing in the USAF” and operates from 10 bases, including Fairford.
Mr Trump applauded the UK response and indicated authorities had been tracking the suspects, even as other accounts suggested otherwise.
Referring to RAF Fairford — which hosts USAF heavy bombers — using the American term “fort”, he told reporters in the US: “They were looking to do big damage to our fort, and working with the British worked out great.”
He added: “We had them under view for a long time, and we got them. Thank you.”
