British police arrested five men near a major US air base in England on Sunday after receiving an early morning tip off about three suspicious vans heading toward the site. The men were held on suspicion of explosives and terrorism offences. US President Donald Trump later said the suspects had been looking to do “big damage” and had been under investigation by both British and American authorities.
The incident took place near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, a base that hosts United States Air Force personnel and has been used to launch strikes on Iranian missile sites. Armed officers stopped the vehicles after police received a call about three vans appearing to travel toward the airfield in the early hours of Sunday. Five men were arrested and remain in custody.
Counter Terrorism Policing Senior National Coordinator Vicki Evans said investigators are still in the early stages of the inquiry and are working closely with partners to understand the full circumstances. A 400 metre cordon was placed around the base while bomb disposal teams examined the vans. Residents from 85 nearby homes were evacuated as a precaution, and armed officers continued to patrol the area.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham was kept informed of the situation. He thanked the police and armed forces, noting that the incident would understandably concern local residents and people across the country.
Britain had previously authorised the US to use bombers based at Fairford to target Iranian sites that had been attacking ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards had earlier warned that any base used for such attacks would be considered a legitimate target. An Iranian linked motive is currently viewed as the most likely explanation, though investigators are also examining possible Russian sabotage or an Islamist plot.
Trump praised the arrests, calling the operation “fantastic” and “an amazing job.” He said the suspects had been under watch for a long time and that close cooperation with British authorities had made the successful intervention possible.
Security was also increased at other US bases in the UK, including RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall, where armoured vehicles and soldiers were seen at the gates. Police described the incident as contained but said emergency services would remain visible in the area for some time.
