Five men were arrested by armed officers on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act after explosives were discovered in three vans near RAF Fairford, a UK base operated by the US Air Force and used for missions against Iran. The arrests followed a public tip-off about suspicious behavior late at night, with police responding to reports of the vans traveling towards the base at 12:45 a.m. The individuals were initially arrested under the Explosives Act and subsequently on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act. They can be held for up to 14 days without charge under the Terrorism Act 2000.
The incident prompted the evacuation of approximately 85 households in the nearby village of Whelford as a precaution. A 400-meter cordon was established around the suspicious vehicles, which included three white trucks, for examination by Army bomb disposal experts. Images and aerial footage showed bomb disposal robots inspecting the vehicles, with large black items visible in two of the open vans.
Counter-terrorism police are leading the investigation, and a source familiar with the inquiry indicated that an Iranian-linked motive is considered the most likely, although Russian sabotage and an Islamist plot are also being examined. Vicki Evans, the Met's counterterrorism policing senior national coordinator, stated that the investigation is in its early stages and they are working with partners to understand the circumstances. Both Defense Secretary Wes Streeting and Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood praised the swift response of emergency services, confirming that the incident is believed to be contained.
RAF Fairford hosts the headquarters of the U.S. Air Force's 501st Combat Support Wing and the 420th Air Base Squadron, and has been a key hub for American operations against Iran, including for heavy bombers. The arrests highlight ongoing concerns about potential threats to military installations and the role of public vigilance in foiling such plots.
