British police are holding five men and examining suspected explosives discovered near a U.S.-operated air force base in England as counter‑terror detectives investigate whether the arrests prevented an attempted attack linked to Iran.
The men were detained after officers found the material in the vicinity of the base, prompting a rapid response from specialist units. Police are currently analysing the explosives to determine their composition and intended use.
Counter‑terrorism detectives are leading the inquiry and are assessing intelligence that suggests the plot may have been connected to Iran. Officials have not disclosed the specific nature of the alleged link, but the investigation is treating the possible foreign involvement as a serious factor.
The U.S. air base, which supports American military operations from the United Kingdom, has previously been identified as a high‑profile target for hostile actors. Security around such facilities is routinely heightened, and any suspected threat is treated with priority.
Police have not released further details about the suspects or the outcome of the explosives analysis. The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities saying they will provide updates as more information becomes available.
<small>Source: NPR — read the original story there.</small>