Five men have been arrested in the United Kingdom on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act involving three trucks near RAF Fairford, an air base utilized by the United States for strikes against Iran. London’s Metropolitan Police confirmed the arrests occurred after a call was received at 12:45 a.m. Sunday regarding suspicious vehicles traveling toward the base, which is U.K.-owned but operated by the U.S. under a Cold War-era agreement.
The suspects were initially detained in the Whelford area, which borders the base, on suspicion of offenses under the Explosives Act. Aerial footage from Sky News showed a bomb disposal robot operating between three white trucks, with the rear doors of two vans open and large black items scattered on the ground. Police established a 400-meter cordon around the vehicles while the army conducts examinations, resulting in the precautionary evacuation of approximately 85 households to a nearby recreation center.
Authorities are investigating a potential link between the arrests and Iran, a country that has previously stated that bases used to attack its territory are legitimate targets. The base hosts the U.S. Air Force’s 501st Combat Support Wing and the 420th Air Base Squadron, and has been used for limited strikes against Iranian missile sites. These operations were conducted under an agreement with former British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who voiced opposition to the war launched by the U.S. and Israel on February 28.
U.S. President Donald Trump praised the coordinated effort, stating in Chicago that the suspects were “looking to do big damage to our fort” and that the U.S. had them under investigation for a long time. British Prime Minister Andy Burnham described the incident as “deeply concerning” but urged the public not to speculate while authorities establish the facts. Defense secretaries Pete Hegseth of the U.S. and Wes Streeting of the U.K. have also discussed the incident.
Local residents in Whelford, including Julian Tudsbery, reported seeing multiple police cars and being instructed to evacuate due to a “major incident.” Gloucestershire police stated the situation appears contained. A U.S. Air Force spokesperson noted that personnel remain vigilant and that specific force protection measures will not be discussed for operational security reasons.
The arrests occur amid heightened tensions regarding threats from hostile states to the U.K. British security officials have warned that proxies linked to Iran have been responsible for arson and sabotage attempts in the U.K. and other countries. Officials reported in March that national security cases involving activity by hostile states, including Iran, increased by 50% in the six months leading up to December 2025. Suspects arrested under the Terrorism Act 2000 can be detained for up to 14 days without charge.
<small>Source: Yahoo News — read the original story there.</small>