LONDON (AP) — British police said five men arrested early Sunday near an air base used by the United States during its war with Iran were being held on suspicion of planning a terrorist act involving three trucks.
London’s Metropolitan Police, which takes the lead on potential terrorist activity, said police received a call at 12:45 a.m. about the three suspicious vehicles which appeared to be heading towards RAF Fairford. a base owned by the United Kingdom and operated by the United States as part of an agreement dating back to the Cold War.
The base is home to American bombers that strike Iran.
The arrests come at a time of heightened tensions around the threat posed by hostile states to the UK, with Russia and Iran among those who have used proxies to commit crimes on their behalf on British soil. In March, officials said the number of national security cases involving activities by hostile states, including Iran, increased by 50% in the six months to December 2025.
Fairford was used by US bombers for strictly limited strikes against Iranian missile sites, as part of a deal with former British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who expressed opposition to the proposal. war after its launch by the United States and Israel on February 28.
Authorities are investigating a possible link between Fairford’s arrests and Iran. Iran has previously indicated that a base used to attack its territory was a legitimate target.
US President Donald Trump praised those who participated in the arrests.
“It was an incredible job. We had them investigated. They were looking to do great damage to our fort. And working with the British worked very well,” he told reporters in Chicago on Sunday. “We had our eyes on them for a long time and we got them. »
Police fear explosion
The five men were initially arrested on suspicion of committing explosives law violations in the Whelford area, which backs up to RAF Fairford, which is home to the headquarters of the U.S. Air Force’s 501st Combat Support Wing and the 420th Air Base Squadron.
Aerial footage from Sky News appeared to show a bomb disposal robot wandering between three white trucks. The rear doors of two of the vans were open and large black objects could be seen scattered throughout. The robot seemed to be trying to get to the third truck.
The police gave no details on the nationality of those arrested. Suspects arrested under the Terrorism Act 2000 can be detained for up to 14 days without charge, compared to the 24-hour limit for standard arrests, without a request for an extension.
“We are in the early stages of an investigation and five men remain in custody,” said Vicki Evans, the Met’s senior national counter-terrorism co-ordinator.
Evans said a 400-meter cordon was set up around the three vehicles, raising suspicion while the military carried out examinations. As a precautionary measure, approximately 85 households were evacuated during these examinations. Some were taken to a nearby leisure center.
The U.S. Embassy in London warned Americans to be cautious and mindful of their personal safety.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he knew the incident would be “deeply concerning” to many. In a social media post, Burnham thanked the police and armed forces for their response and said he was grateful to residents who have been evacuated from their homes “while precautionary checks are carried out”.
He urged people “not to speculate while the authorities establish all the facts.”
US and UK Defense Secretaries Pete Hegseth and Wes Streeting also spoke about the incident.
British security officials say Iran-linked proxies have been behind a series of arsons and sabotage attempts in the United Kingdom and other countries, many of which targeted the Jewish community. They have already warned that Tehran could expand its targets in the UK if conflicts in the Middle East continue.
Local residents evacuated as investigation continues
Gloucestershire Police said the situation appeared “under control” and urged residents to follow official advice while the investigation continues.
Julian Tudsbery, who has lived in Whelford for 30 years, said another resident reported seeing three “suspicious vans” in the village early on Sunday.
“There were several police officers, three police cars in the driveway, and they said you need to evacuate, there was a major incident, they said they couldn’t give any more details,” he said.
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Associated Press writers Jill Lawless in Liverpool, England, and Ben Finley in Washington, D.C. contributed to this report.
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