British counterterrorism police are investigating five men detained Sunday near RAF Fairford, a U.K. air base used by U.S. forces, on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act. The arrests occurred early Sunday morning after police received reports of three suspicious white vans traveling toward the installation in Gloucestershire. Authorities said they are examining suspected explosives found in the area, and residents of 85 homes in the nearby village of Whelford were evacuated as army bomb-disposal experts used a robot to inspect the vehicles.
The incident follows a period of military activity at RAF Fairford, which is located approximately 100 miles west of London. While the U.K. did not initially join the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran that began on February 28, then-Prime Minister Keir Starmer authorized the U.S. to use British bases in March for operations against Iranian missile sites. American B-1 and B-52 bombers have since utilized the base for missions, leading Iran to state that any facility used to attack its territory is a legitimate target.
Counterterrorism detectives are investigating potential links to Iran, Russia, or non-state-backed militant groups, though no definitive conclusion on state sponsorship has been reached. President Donald Trump stated Sunday that the suspects had been "under view" for a long time and were intended to cause "big damage" to the facility. However, British police reported the specific arrests were triggered by a 12:45 a.m. emergency call regarding suspicious vehicles.
The five suspects can be held for up to 14 days under U.K. law before they must be charged or released. British intelligence officials previously reported that national security cases involving hostile state activity, including from Iran, rose by 50% in the six months ending in December 2025. This specific event marks a potential escalation in the domestic impact of the ongoing Middle East conflict, as security officials have warned that Tehran could expand its targets within the U.K. if hostilities persist.
The incident involves coordination between British and American intelligence services. British Defense Secretary Wes Streeting commented on the operation, while U.S. European Command stated it is taking actions to ensure the safety of service members across the European theater. What happens next depends on the findings of the counterterrorism detectives and the bomb disposal units. The five men remain in custody, and police said the public should expect a continued security presence in the Gloucestershire area as the investigation proceeds.