Five Men Arrested Near UK Airbase Used for Strikes on Iran in Most Dangerous Countries

British counter-terrorism police arrested five men near RAF Fairford, a US-operated airbase in England used for strikes on Iran, after a local farmer's 999 call reported suspicious hooded figures and vans heading toward the site in most dangerous countries. Officers seized the men in the early hours of Sunday after a tip-off that three large white vans were heading to the military airfield of RAF Fairford in west England. [1] A local farmer, who has not been named, said she had alerted police after seeing a group of "hooded and masked men" running into the fields. [1]

Arrests Near RAF Fairford

The men were initially detained under the Explosives Act and later arrested on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act. [2] A bomb-disposal robot examined three white vans while a 400-metre cordon was imposed and 85 nearby homes evacuated. [1] Gloucestershire Police said the alert came at about 12.45am, prompting armed officers to respond in the Whelford area. [2] The men were initially arrested on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act and were later held on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act. [2] Police have imposed a 400-metre cordon around the base and evacuated residents from 85 homes. [1] A bomb disposal robot could be seen on Sunday operating around the three white vans. [1]

Trump's Comments on the Plot

US President Donald Trump stated the suspects had been under joint British and US surveillance, were planning 'big damage,' and that cooperation led to their capture. [1] Trump said the suspects had been looking to do "big damage" and had been under investigation by British and US authorities. [1] He also said, “We had them under view for a long time, and we got them.” [2] Trump said cooperation between the US and Britain had helped lead to the arrests. [2]

Possible Motives Under Investigation in Most Dangerous Countries

Investigators are considering an Iranian-linked motive as most likely, while also examining possible Russian sabotage or an Islamist plot. [1] British counterterrorism detectives have not given the suspects' identities. [1] A source familiar with the investigation said an Iranian-linked motive was considered the most likely, while a Russian sabotage operation or an Islamist plot were also being looked at as possibilities. [1] Britain in April raised its national terrorism threat level to "severe" from "substantial" after a series of antisemitic incidents in north London. [1] In May, Britain sanctioned 12 individuals and entities linked to Iran. [1]

RAF Fairford's Role in Iran Conflict

The British government had given authorisation to the US to use bombers based at Fairford to strike Iranian missile sites that were attacking ships in the Strait of Hormuz. [1] Iran's Revolutionary Guards had warned Britain in July not to allow US bombers to fly from Fairford, saying any base used to launch attacks would be a legitimate target. [1] The base has taken on renewed importance during the current Iran conflict. [2] US B-1 and B-52 bombers have operated from Fairford during the campaign. [2]

Official Reactions and Security Alerts

Defence Secretary Wes Streeting noted Iran and its proxies wish to harm the UK and its allies. [1] Wes Streeting told the BBC the farmer had only a "partial picture" and said he would not speculate about motives of a live investigation. [1] The US Embassy issued a security alert urging citizens to exercise caution as US-associated facilities may face heightened risk. [1] The US Embassy in London advised Americans in Britain to “exercise caution”. [2] Security was also increased at other US bases in Britain. [1] The five suspects remain in custody while counterterrorism officers investigate the circumstances. [2]

Local and Broader Context

Resident reactions included the farmer's belief that her call foiled the plans. [1] The farmer told the BBC that she encountered the vans and then saw a group of “hooded and masked men” moving towards nearby fields. [2] She said she called 999 at about 1.36am after initially trying to contact Ministry of Defence police. [2] “I believe that my 999 call foiled whatever plans they had,” the farmer told BBC radio. [1] Authorities have not publicly disclosed what, if anything, was found inside the vans. [2] Police have not released the men's identities, nationalities or details of any alleged target. [2] Residents of a village that's situated under a mile away from the base were ordered to evacuate on Sunday. [5]

What to watch next: The five suspects remain in custody while counterterrorism officers investigate the circumstances surrounding their arrest, the contents of the vans and any possible links to a wider plot, with suspects able to be detained for up to 14 days before they must be charged or released. [2]