British police arrested five men on suspicion of terrorism and explosives offenses in the early hours of Sunday, September 27, 2026, near an air base used by the United States military. The arrests occurred after a tip-off that three suspicious vans were traveling toward RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire. U.S. President Donald Trump, speaking from Chicago, said the suspects were under investigation by both British and U.S. authorities and intended to cause "big damage" to the facility.
The incident prompted the evacuation of approximately 85 homes in a nearby village as a 400-meter cordon was established around the vehicles. British counterterrorism detectives and a bomb disposal unit investigated the vans; aerial footage showed a robot being used during the search. Counter Terrorism Policing Senior National Coordinator Vicki Evans stated that the five men remain in custody while authorities work to understand the circumstances.
A source familiar with the investigation stated that an Iranian-linked motive is considered a likely possibility, though investigators are also examining potential Russian sabotage or an Islamist plot. RAF Fairford, which hosts the U.S. Air Force's 501st Combat Support Wing, has been used to launch strikes against Iranian missile sites that were targeting shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran's Revolutionary Guards previously warned that any base used to launch attacks against Iran would be considered a legitimate target.
The incident affected residents of the Whelford area near RAF Fairford, where approximately 85 households were evacuated to local community centers and a leisure center on Sunday. The U.S. Embassy in London issued a security warning advising American citizens in the United Kingdom to be mindful of their personal safety. The event follows a conflict that began with joint U.S. and Israeli strikes on February 28, 2026.
Government data from March 2026 showed that national security cases involving hostile state activity, including from Iran and Russia, increased by 50% in the six months leading to December 2025. Following the arrests, security was increased at other facilities used by the U.S. military, including RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall, where armored vehicles and soldiers were seen at gates.
Under the Terrorism Act 2000, the five suspects can be detained for up to 14 days without charge, compared to the standard 24-hour limit for other arrests. Bomb disposal teams continued their examination of the three trucks and the surrounding village on Sunday. No trial dates or further police updates have been scheduled as of Sunday afternoon.