British counterterrorism police are holding five men on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act after three suspicious vehicles were reported near RAF Fairford, where U.S. bombers have operated during the war with Iran.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom.
LONDON — Five men arrested near RAF Fairford in southwestern England are being held on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act after police received a report that three suspicious vehicles appeared to be traveling toward the military air base used by U.S. bombers, British counterterrorism authorities said Sunday.
Counter Terrorism Policing took control of the investigation after armed officers arrested the five men in the Whelford area near the Gloucestershire base. The men were initially detained on suspicion of offenses under Britain’s Explosives Act and were subsequently arrested on suspicion of preparation of a terrorist act under Section 5 of the Terrorism Act.
Police said the investigation began after authorities received a call at approximately 12:45 a.m. Sunday concerning three vehicles that appeared to be heading toward RAF Fairford.
“We are in the early stages of an investigation, and five men remain in custody,” said Vicki Evans, Counter Terrorism Policing’s senior national coordinator. “As you would expect we are working closely with our partners to understand the circumstances of the incident.”
Authorities have not identified the suspects or disclosed their nationalities. No charges had been announced Sunday, and investigators had not publicly established a motive.
Police also had not publicly confirmed that Iran, Russia, an Islamist organization or any other foreign government or group was responsible. Multiple reports said investigators were examining a possible Iranian connection among several potential lines of inquiry because of RAF Fairford’s role in U.S. military operations against Iran.
President Donald Trump said Sunday that the suspects had been under surveillance and intended to cause significant damage.
“It was an amazing job. We had them under investigation. They were looking to do big damage to our fort. And working with the British worked out great,” Trump told reporters in Chicago. “We had them under view for a long time and we got them.”
British police had not independently confirmed Trump’s account that the suspects had been monitored “for a long time” as of Sunday. Reuters reported that Trump described the arrests as “fantastic” and credited cooperation between U.S. and British authorities.
The three vehicles remained a focus of the investigation Sunday as British Army explosive ordnance disposal personnel carried out examinations.
A 400-meter, or roughly 440-yard, security cordon was established around the vehicles, and approximately 85 households in Whelford were evacuated as a precaution. Some residents were taken to a nearby recreation or leisure center while specialists conducted their work.
Television images showed bomb-disposal equipment operating near three white vehicles. Sky News footage appeared to show a remotely operated bomb-disposal robot moving among the vehicles, with the rear doors of two open and objects visible nearby. Authorities had not publicly identified what, if anything, specialists recovered from them.
The initial response was led by Gloucestershire Police, which declared a major incident and deployed armed officers while military explosives specialists were called to the scene.
Police said the situation appeared contained but warned that emergency personnel would remain in the area while examinations and evidence collection continued.
The location of the arrests has given the investigation heightened national-security significance.
RAF Fairford is a British military installation in Gloucestershire that serves as a major operating location for the U.S. Air Force. It is home to the headquarters of the 501st Combat Support Wing and the 420th Air Base Squadron and is the U.S. Air Forces in Europe’s only designated bomber forward operating location.
Its unusually long runway and infrastructure allow the base to receive heavy strategic bombers, including B-1B Lancers and B-52s.
The United Kingdom has permitted U.S. forces to use Fairford for limited military operations during the war with Iran. American bombers operating from the base have participated in strikes against Iranian missile facilities, under arrangements British officials have described as restricted to particular missions.
The U.S.-Israeli war with Iran began Feb. 28, adding new strategic importance to Fairford and prompting increased security around the installation.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps subsequently warned Britain against allowing U.S. bombers to use British territory for attacks on Iran. In July, an IRGC spokesperson said countries that assisted U.S. military action could be considered legitimate targets. The British government responded that its armed forces were prepared to defend the country against external threats.
That history is one reason investigators are examining a possible Iranian connection, but authorities have not announced evidence tying the five suspects to Tehran.
A source familiar with the investigation told Reuters that an Iran-linked motive was considered one possibility, while potential Russian sabotage and an Islamist terrorism motive were also being examined. None had been established publicly as the cause of the incident.
The arrests come during a period of elevated concern in Britain about terrorism and hostile-state operations.
In March, Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, then head of U.K. counterterrorism policing, said investigations involving potential hostile-state activity had increased by 50% during the six months ending in December 2025. He identified Iran, Russia and China as the principal countries generating that workload.
“We’ve seen a very significant increase in our work involved with foreign state activity, particularly around that top three of Iran, Russia and China,” Taylor said at the time.
“In the six months up to December last year, we had a 50% increase in National Security Act investigations, and that’s on the back of a five-fold increase over the last four or five years,” he said. “It is a significant part of our caseload.”
British security officials have previously accused Iran-linked operatives and proxies of involvement in plots, intimidation and sabotage inside the United Kingdom. Iran has denied allegations that it directs such activities.
The United Kingdom’s national terrorism threat level is currently “severe,” meaning an attack is considered highly likely. The U.S. State Department’s current advisory tells Americans to exercise increased caution in Britain because of terrorism.
The U.S. Embassy in London also advised Americans to remain cautious and attentive to their personal security following Sunday’s developments.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he was receiving updates and cautioned against drawing conclusions before investigators determine what happened.
“I know today’s incident near RAF Fairford will be deeply concerning for local residents and for many people following developments across the country,” Burnham said.
He thanked Gloucestershire Police, Counter Terrorism Policing, the armed forces and others involved in the response and expressed appreciation to people forced to leave their homes “while precautionary checks are carried out.”
“The investigation remains ongoing, and I would urge people not to speculate while the authorities establish the full facts,” Burnham said.
British Defense Secretary Wes Streeting also praised the response while declining to discuss details of an active investigation.
“There’s a live police investigation. So I think you’ll understand that I’m very limited in what I’m able to say, except that we can be extremely proud of and grateful for the swift response of the emergency services and our security services,” Streeting said.
“So there’s an investigation underway. We will say more as we are able to, but it’s a reminder of both the threats that this country faces on a daily basis, and also the extraordinary people we have to deal with and respond to those threats as and when they materialise.”
Streeting separately said, “We can be reassured that this is being dealt with, and it is exactly why our emergency response teams and Armed Forces are on standby 24/7.”
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Streeting also discussed the incident, according to reporting Sunday.
The U.S. Air Force said it was coordinating closely with British authorities while declining to describe any specific changes in security procedures.
“The safety and security of our airmen, families, and surrounding communities remains our highest priority,” a spokesperson for the 501st Combat Support Wing said. “We remain in close coordination with our U.K. partners to help ensure the safety and security of both our military and local communities.”
The Air Force separately said Fairford personnel “remain vigilant” and that officials continually review security measures to protect military personnel, civilian employees, contractors and their families.
For residents of Whelford, the investigation began with activity noticed during the night.
Julian Tudsbery, who has lived in the village for about 30 years, said another resident reported seeing three “suspicious vans” in the early morning hours.
“There were several police, three police cars in the drive, and they said you need to evacuate, there’s been a major incident, said he couldn’t elaborate,” Tudsbery said.
Other residents reported discussions about the vehicles in a local WhatsApp group before authorities arrived. Police began waking residents and ordering evacuations early Sunday morning as the security operation widened.
Under British law, suspects arrested under terrorism powers can be detained without charge considerably longer than in an ordinary criminal case. Police normally may hold someone for up to 24 hours before charging or releasing the person, while terrorism suspects can be held for as long as 14 days if the required judicial extensions are obtained.
The five men remained in custody Sunday as counterterrorism investigators examined the vehicles, collected evidence and sought to determine whether the incident represented a planned attack on RAF Fairford and, if so, who was behind it.
Authorities emphasized that the investigation remains at an early stage and that the suspects’ arrests do not amount to convictions or establish responsibility by any foreign government or organization.
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