UK police arrest five men in suspected bomb plot at US base used for Iran strikes
British counter-terror police arrested five men on suspicion of terrorism and explosives offenses near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, England, after a tip about three suspicious vans approaching the base. The base hosts US B-1B bombers used for strikes on Iran. A bomb squad inspected the vehicles, 85 homes were evacuated, and a 400-meter cordon was established. US President Donald Trump said the suspects were under joint investigation and sought "big damage." An Iranian-linked motive is considered most likely, though Russian sabotage or Islamist plots are also being examined. The investigation is ongoing.
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Five arrested as counter-terror police investigate major incident near RAF Fairford
Counter-terror police in the United Kingdom have arrested five men on suspicion of terrorism following a major incident near RAF Fairford, an air base used by the United States military. The arrests were made as part of an ongoing investigation, with a bomb squad reportedly searching vans in the vicinity of the base. Multiple news outlets, including the BBC, The New York Times, NBC News, and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, are covering the story. The Hill reports that a Republican member of the U.S. Congress believes Iran was involved in the thwarted terrorist plan. The base has been used for strikes against Iran, according to the ABC. The investigation is ongoing, and further details are expected to emerge as authorities continue their work.
Read sourceBritish police arrest five men on terror suspicion at US airbase used for Iran strikes
British police arrested five men on suspicion of terrorism near RAF Fairford, a US airbase in western England used for long-range bomber attacks on Iran. The arrests occurred early Sunday after a tip-off about three suspicious white vans approaching the base near the village of Whelford. Specialist bomb disposal units and robots examined the vehicles, and about 85 households were evacuated. The suspects were photographed with bare chests, suggesting possible suicide vests. The US raised Fairford's alert level to maximum and tightened security at other bases. The incident comes amid heightened UK terror alert, with MI5 chief Ken McCallum having warned of increased attempted attacks linked to Iran, Russia, or pro-Palestinian activists. In 2025, activists from Palestine Action damaged British tanker aircraft at nearby RAF Brize Norton. The UK defense ministry reported around 340 drone incidents near military infrastructure in the past year, triple the number from two years prior. Prime Minister Andy Burnham canceled all appointments and a trip to the Labour Party conference.
UK Thwarts Suspected Terrorist Bomb Plot Against RAF Fairford Hosting US Bombers for Iran Strikes
UK authorities thwarted a suspected terrorist plot targeting RAF Fairford, an air base in England hosting US B-1B Lancer bombers used for strikes on Iran. Five men were arrested on suspicion of terrorism and explosives offenses after being stopped near the base on September 27. Explosive ordnance disposal teams were dispatched, and three suspicious vans were inspected. President Donald Trump praised the arrests, stating the suspects were 'looking to do big damage' and that US and UK authorities had them under investigation for a long time. The base had been under increased security for days, and 85 homes in the nearby village of Whelford were evacuated. British Prime Minister Andy Burnham emphasized public safety as the priority. The UK government had authorized the base's use for strikes on Iran in March, and Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had previously warned it considered Fairford a legitimate target. The investigation is ongoing, with the five men in custody.
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UK Thwarts Suspected Bomb Plot Against RAF Fairford Hosting US Bombers for Iran Strikes
UK authorities thwarted a suspected terrorist plot against RAF Fairford, an air base in England hosting US B-1B Lancer bombers used for strikes on Iran. Five men were arrested on suspicion of terrorism and explosives offenses after being stopped near the base on September 27. Explosive ordnance disposal technicians were dispatched, and three white vans near the base fence were inspected. President Donald Trump said the suspects were 'looking to do big damage' and praised the arrests as 'fantastic,' noting the suspects had been under surveillance for a long time. The base had been under increased security for days, with vehicles placed around the perimeter and the threat level raised prior to the arrests. British Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated public safety is the first priority. The UK government gave permission for the base to be used in strikes on Iran in March, and Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had warned it considered Fairford a legitimate target. Eighty-five homes in the nearby village of Whelford were evacuated. The investigation is in early stages, with five men in custody.
Read sourceFive arrested near UK air base used by US; Trump says suspects sought 'big damage'
British police arrested five men on September 27, 2026, near RAF Fairford, an air base in western England used by U.S. forces to strike Iranian targets. The arrests followed a tip about three suspicious vans heading toward the base. U.S. President Donald Trump stated the suspects were under joint U.S.-U.K. investigation and aimed to cause 'big damage.' Counter-terrorism police said the incident is contained, with a 400-meter cordon and evacuation of 85 nearby homes. An Iranian-linked motive is considered most likely by a source familiar with the investigation, though Russian sabotage or Islamist plots are also being examined. British Prime Minister Andy Burnham is being updated. The U.S. Air Force declined to discuss specific security measures but affirmed vigilance. The arrests come after Iran's Revolutionary Guards warned Britain in July not to allow U.S. bombers to use Fairford, calling any such base a legitimate target.
Five arrested near UK air base used by US; Trump says suspects sought 'big damage'
British police arrested five men on Sunday near RAF Fairford, an air base in western England used by U.S. forces, on suspicion of explosive and terrorism offenses. The arrests followed a tip about three vans heading toward the base, which has been used to strike Iran. U.S. President Donald Trump said the suspects had been under investigation by British and U.S. authorities and were looking to do 'big damage.' A 400-meter cordon was established, 85 homes were evacuated, and a bomb disposal unit investigated the vans. Counter Terrorism Policing Senior National Coordinator Vicki Evans stated the investigation is in early stages. An Iranian-linked motive is considered most likely by a source familiar with the investigation, while a Russian sabotage operation or an Islamist plot are also being examined. Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he was being updated. The British government had authorized U.S. bombers based at Fairford to strike Iranian missile sites. Iran's Revolutionary Guards had previously warned Britain not to allow such operations, threatening that any base used would be a legitimate target.
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