UK police arrest five near US-used RAF Fairford; Trump says suspects sought 'big damage'

British police arrested five men near RAF Fairford on Sunday on suspicion of explosives and terrorism offenses, following a tip that three vans were heading toward the military airfield used by U.S. forces to strike Iran.

U.S. President Donald Trump said the suspects had been seeking to cause "big damage" and had been under joint investigation by British and U.S. authorities.

Incident Details

British counter-terrorism detectives leading the investigation said police received a call in the early hours of Sunday about three suspicious vehicles appearing to travel toward RAF Fairford in the west of England.

Five men were arrested by armed officers and later held on suspicion of preparation of a terrorist act. Police stated they believe the incident is now contained.

Investigation Underway

"We are in the early stages of an investigation, and five men remain in custody," Counter Terrorism Policing Senior National Coordinator Vicki Evans said in a statement. "As you would expect, we are working closely with our partners to understand the circumstances of the incident."

Police established a 400-meter cordon around the base as the bomb disposal unit examined the vans. Local residents in 85 homes in a nearby village were evacuated, and armed officers were patrolling the site.

Government Response

The British government, which authorized the U.S. to use bombers based at Fairford to strike Iranian missile sites attacking ships in the Strait of Hormuz, said Prime Minister Andy Burnham was being updated on the incident.

"I know today's incident near RAF Fairford will be deeply concerning for local residents and for many people following developments across the country," Burnham wrote on X.

Potential Motives

Police have not identified who they believe was involved in Sunday's alleged incident. According to a source familiar with the investigation:

• An Iranian-linked motive is considered the most likely
• A Russian sabotage operation is also being examined
• An Islamist plot remains under consideration

Britain stated in July that its armed forces were ready to protect the country from any attack after Iran's Revolutionary Guards warned it not to allow U.S. bombers to fly from Fairford, saying any base used to launch attacks would be a legitimate target.

US Reaction

"The arrest in the UK was fantastic," Trump told reporters, calling it "an amazing job."

"We had them under investigation. They were looking to do big damage to our port and working with the British worked out great... We had them under view for a long time, and we got them," Trump added.

Security Measures

On Sunday morning, the base was blocked by armed police while large machinery also prevented access. Reuters witnesses reported increased security at other U.S.-used bases, with armored vehicles and soldiers at the gates of RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall in eastern England.

"A cordon is in place as a precaution, and the public can expect to see an emergency services presence in the area for some time," Gloucestershire Police Assistant Chief Constable Richard Ocone told reporters.

The Daily Mail website published a photograph of five men without shirts who it said had been arrested.

A spokesperson for the U.S. Air Force declined to discuss specific force protection measures.

"The 501st Combat Support Wing and our fellow UK-based Wings remain vigilant and will take appropriate actions to ensure the safety and security of our U.S. service members, civilians, contractors, and their families," the spokesperson said. "We constantly assess a variety of factors that determine what measures we institute or modify to protect our installations, our people and their families."

Broader Context

British ministers have previously briefed providers of critical infrastructure on the threat posed by Russia, with the government increasingly concerned about possible sabotage operations and cyberattacks. Russia denies mounting hybrid attacks on Western nations.

A British military air base in central England was broken into in June 2025 by the Palestine Action protest group, which has since been proscribed as a terrorist organization.