Five arrested for ‘preparing terrorist act’ at UK base used by US air force for Iran strikes

LONDON — British police said on Sunday they had arrested five men on suspicion of “preparing a terrorist act” and offenses under the Explosives Act, and the army was examining several vehicles after security was stepped up at a British air base used by US air forces in southwest England.

The British government gave authorization to the US to use RAF Fairford to carry out strikes on Iranian missile sites that are attacking ships in the Strait of Hormuz.

US President Donald Trump said the suspects had been looking to do “big damage” and had been under investigation by British and US authorities.

A Reuters eyewitness said armed police were blocking access to the main gate of the base. Around 30 emergency vehicles, including police cars, ambulances and fire engines, were stationed in the village of Fairford near the base.

“A number of properties are currently being evacuated in the Whelford area following the declaration of a major incident. It follows the arrest of several men on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act,” Gloucestershire police said in a statement, referring to a village near the air base.

“The Army’s specialist explosive ordnance disposal team are currently examining a number of vehicles.”

Police later said they had arrested five men on suspicion of “preparing a terrorist act.”

The Metropolitan Police, which takes the lead on potential terrorism activities, said in a statement that the men were initially arrested on suspicion of committing offences under the Explosives Act.

Vicki Evans, deputy assistant commissioner, said a 400-meter cordon has been put in place around the three vehicles that raised suspicion while the army conducts examinations. As a precaution, around 85 households have been evacuated whilst these examinations take place.

A spokesperson for the US Air Force said they would not 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.”

However, Trump hailed the arrest.

“The arrest in the UK was fantastic,” Trump told reporters, saying it was “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,” Trump added.

Britain said in July its armed forces were ​ready to protect the country from any attack after Iran’s Revolutionary Guards issued a warning not to allow US bombers to ‌fly from Fairford.

British ministers have also briefed providers of critical infrastructure on the threat posed by Russia, with the government increasingly concerned about possible sabotage operations and cyberattacks. Russia denies mounting hybrid attacks on Western nations.

Julian Tudsbery, who has lived in Whelford for 30 years, said a resident had reported three “suspicious vans” in the village in the early hours of Sunday morning.

“There were several police, three police cars in the drive, and they said you need to evacuate, there’s been a major incident, and said he couldn’t elaborate,” he said.

Britain’s Defense Secretary Wes Streeting thanked the emergency and specialist teams who responded to the incident.

“We can be reassured that this is being dealt with,” he said.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham is receiving updates on the situation, his office said.

Burnham thanked the police and armed forces, saying 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”.