Five arrested near RAF Fairford in suspected Iran-linked terror plot

British counterterror police are holding five men after suspected explosives were found near the U.S.-operated RAF Fairford air base. Investigators are probing possible links to Iran, Russia, or non-state militant groups.

Suspected terror plot near U.S. air base in England disrupted

British counterterror detectives are investigating whether the arrest of five men near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire foiled an attack on the U.S.-operated air force base, npr.org reports. The men were detained in the early hours of Sunday after three vans were spotted close to the base, which sits roughly 100 miles west of London.

Suspected explosive materials were found near the site, and residents of 85 homes in the neighbouring village of Whelford were evacuated while army bomb-disposal experts deployed a robot to examine three white vans. As of Monday morning, those residents had not been allowed to return, and the vans had not yet been moved.

The five suspects, who have not been named, were first held on suspicion of explosives offences and subsequently also arrested on suspicion of preparing an act of terrorism. Under British law, police may hold them for up to 14 days before they must be charged or released.

Iran, Russia and non-state groups all under scrutiny

Investigators have not yet concluded whether the incident represents a state-backed operation. They are examining potential links to Iran, Russia, and non-state militant groups. RAF Fairford, a UK-owned base regularly used by American bombers, has also been the target of anti-war protests in the past.

Britain's Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband described the incident on Monday as "a reminder of the threats our country faces." Miliband had met Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi at the United Nations in New York the previous week, telling him that "Britain will not tolerate intimidation, threats or hostile activity on U.K. soil," according to a UK government readout of the exchange.

British security officials have previously said proxies linked to Iran were responsible for a series of arson and sabotage attempts across the UK and other countries, many targeting the Jewish community. In March, officials disclosed that national security cases involving hostile state activity — including by Iran — had risen 50% in the six months to December 2025.

Fairford at the centre of the Iran conflict

RAF Fairford has taken on added strategic significance since the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran began on 28 February. Britain did not join that conflict initially and denied a request from President Donald Trump to use UK bases to strike Iran directly. Former Prime Minister Keir Starmer subsequently agreed in March to allow the U.S. to use British bases for what he described as "defensive" operations targeting Iranian missiles and their launch sites, following Iranian attacks on UK interests and British allies in the Gulf.

American B-1 and B-52 bombers have since taken off from Fairford for operations during the conflict. Iran has publicly stated it considers any base used to attack its territory a legitimate military target.

Trump cites US-UK intelligence cooperation

Trump told reporters in Chicago on Sunday that the suspects had been "under view for a long time." He said: "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."

Police, however, said the arrests were in fact triggered by a late-night call reporting "suspicious vehicles" near the base, rather than by a pre-planned operation.

British Defence Secretary Wes Streeting declined to provide operational details but said it was "a proud moment" that Trump had acknowledged "the work that our police and intelligence services do every day." Streeting told Times Radio: "As and when we can, we will report back to the public about these individuals and about the nature of the threat."

The U.S. Air Force said its personnel at RAF Fairford "remain vigilant," adding that "for operational security reasons we will not discuss specific force protection measures." The U.S. Embassy in London separately issued an advisory urging American citizens in Britain to exercise caution and remain mindful of their personal security.

Source: Google News MT — Crime (en)