US President Donald Trump said five men arrested near RAF Fairford in Britain had been seeking to cause ‘big damage’ at the military facility.
British police detained the men after receiving a report about three suspicious vans traveling toward the air base in the early hours of Sunday. The arrests have triggered a major security operation at the site, which US forces have used for operations against Iran.
Trump said US and British authorities had been investigating the suspects before their arrest. He praised the two countries’ cooperation and described the arrests as a success.
British investigators have not yet publicly confirmed the details behind Trump’s claim about the suspects’ intentions.
Speaking to reporters, Trump said the suspects were looking to cause serious damage and that authorities had kept them under observation.
He said cooperation with Britain had helped bring the situation under control. His comments came after British police announced the arrests near the Gloucestershire air base.
The British investigation remains in its early stages. Counter-terrorism officers have not identified the suspects or publicly confirmed who they believe was behind the alleged plot. Investigators are examining the circumstances surrounding the vehicles, the arrests and any possible links to other people or organisations.
Five Men Held Near Base
Police received a call at about 12:45 a.m. on Sunday about three suspicious vehicles apparently heading toward RAF Fairford.
Armed officers went to the Whelford area and arrested five men. The men were initially detained over suspected offences under the Explosives Act and were later arrested on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act.
Police established a 400-metre security cordon around the vehicles. Army bomb disposal specialists were brought in to examine the vans as part of the investigation. Police evacuated about 85 households in the surrounding area as a precaution while the operation continued.
The operation involved armed police, emergency services and bomb disposal personnel. Roads around the site were blocked, while residents were moved to temporary accommodation during the security response. Police said the incident was contained, but the investigation remained active.
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Why RAF Fairford Matters
RAF Fairford is a British military airfield that supports US Air Force operations. It is used as a forward operating location for American bomber aircraft and has hosted aircraft involved in missions connected with the conflict involving Iran. The base has therefore become an important US military facility in Britain.
The security operation comes amid heightened tensions between Iran and Western countries. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned in July that bases used for attacks against Iranian territory would be considered legitimate targets. That warning specifically referred to US bombers operating from RAF Fairford.
British authorities have not publicly established an Iranian connection to the arrests. Investigators are examining the possible motive, while other lines of inquiry remain open. Any conclusion about who planned the alleged attack will depend on evidence gathered during the investigation.
Security Raised Across Britain
The incident has also prompted increased security at other bases used by US forces in Britain. Reuters witnesses reported armoured vehicles and soldiers at the entrances to RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall in eastern England. The additional measures were reported as authorities assessed the wider security situation.
The US Air Force has not provided details of specific security measures at individual installations.
A spokesperson for the 501st Combat Support Wing said US units remained in coordination with British authorities and would take appropriate steps to protect personnel, contractors and their families. Officials regularly review security conditions around military facilities.
The case also comes as Britain faces wider concerns about possible sabotage, terrorism and hostile activity targeting sensitive infrastructure. British officials have previously warned critical infrastructure operators about threats that include sabotage and cyberattacks. Russia has rejected accusations that it is carrying out hybrid attacks against Western countries.
Investigation Focuses On Motive
Investigators’ immediate task is to determine what the five men intended to do and whether the vehicles contained materials linked to a planned attack. Bomb disposal specialists are examining the vans as police gather evidence about the suspects and their movements. Authorities have not announced charges beyond the current terrorism and explosives-related allegations.
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The incident has also raised questions about security around RAF Fairford because of its role in US military operations. The base was previously targeted by protesters from Palestine Action, who broke into the facility in June 2025. That earlier incident was separate from the current counter-terrorism investigation.
For now, Trump’s description of the alleged plan remains separate from the evidence British police have publicly released.
The investigation will determine whether the suspects intended to attack RAF Fairford, what their objective was and whether others were involved. The findings are likely to influence security arrangements around US-linked military facilities in Britain as authorities assess the threat ahead.
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