Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
U.S. President Donald Trump has praised the arrest of five men near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, saying the suspects appeared to be preparing an attack that could have caused serious damage to American military personnel and facilities.
The men were detained in the early hours of Sunday after police received a report about three suspicious vehicles traveling near the air base. The incident prompted a major security operation involving armed officers, counterterrorism investigators and the Army’s specialist explosive ordnance disposal unit.
Trump said the suspects had been monitored for an extended period and suggested that British and American authorities had been working together before the arrests. He described the police response as “fantastic” and said cooperation between the two countries had prevented a potentially serious attack.
British officials have not confirmed Trump’s claim that the suspects had been under surveillance for a long time. Initial information from the investigation indicates that the operation began after a local resident contacted emergency services shortly before 1 a.m. to report suspicious activity involving several vehicles and men in the area.
Police arrested five men near the village of Whelford, close to RAF Fairford. They were first detained on suspicion of offenses under the Explosives Act and were later arrested on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act. Authorities have not released their names, nationalities or ages.
A 400-meter cordon was established around the vehicles while bomb disposal specialists examined them. Police also evacuated approximately 85 households as a precaution. Residents were taken to a nearby leisure center or advised to stay with relatives and friends while officers assessed whether the vehicles contained explosives or other dangerous materials.
Images from the scene showed a bomb disposal robot operating near three white vans. The rear doors of at least two vehicles appeared to be open, while large dark containers or equipment could be seen nearby. Authorities have not provided a detailed account of what was found inside the vehicles.
The investigation is being led by counterterrorism police, who said it remained at an early stage. Officials urged the public to avoid speculation while investigators examine the evidence, question the suspects and establish the circumstances that brought the men to the area.
One of the main lines of inquiry is whether the incident was connected to Iran. Security officials are reportedly examining the possibility that the suspects were acting on behalf of an Iranian-linked organization or network. However, no official has confirmed that Iranian authorities were involved, and investigators are also expected to consider other possible explanations, including Russian-linked activity, an independent extremist plot or criminal activity unrelated to a foreign government.
The possibility of an Iranian connection is being examined in the context of escalating tensions between Tehran and the United Kingdom and United States. RAF Fairford is used by the U.S. Air Force and has served as an important base for American long-range bomber operations. The facility has reportedly been involved in strikes against Iranian missile sites after attacks on shipping in and around the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard warned in July that British authorities should not allow American bombers to use British bases for attacks against Iran. Iranian officials have previously said that facilities used to launch attacks against their country could be considered legitimate military targets.
That warning has increased concern in Britain over the possibility of retaliatory action by Iranian proxies or other groups. British security agencies have already warned that hostile governments could use intermediaries to conduct arson attacks, sabotage operations, surveillance missions or intimidation campaigns on British soil.
The British government has not publicly linked the Fairford arrests to those wider concerns. Defence Secretary Wes Streeting praised the emergency services but said it would be irresponsible to comment on the suspects’ motives before investigators had completed their initial work. He said the authorities had responded quickly and that cooperation with American officials remained close.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the incident was deeply concerning for residents and thanked police officers, military personnel and other emergency workers involved in the operation. He urged the public not to speculate and said the government would take all necessary steps to protect communities.
Security was also increased at other American bases in Britain. RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall, both in Suffolk, reportedly strengthened protection around their entrances, while RAF Fairford was placed on the highest U.S. military security alert. That designation is used when officials believe a terrorist attack may be imminent or has already taken place in the immediate area.
The alert has not been described as evidence that another attack is planned. U.S. military officials said they were working with British authorities to protect American service members, civilian employees, contractors and their families.
The arrests come at a particularly sensitive time for RAF Fairford. The base has become more prominent since London authorized limited American military operations against Iranian missile sites. Military activity at the facility has also affected major public events, including the cancellation of an air show because British and American forces needed to maintain unrestricted operational readiness.
For residents near the base, the immediate priority remains returning home safely. Police have said the situation is contained, but the cordon will remain in place while specialists complete their examination of the vehicles and investigators gather evidence.
The five men remain in custody. No charges had been publicly announced at the time of the latest reports, and authorities have not confirmed whether any attack had been fully planned or whether the vehicles contained functioning explosive devices. The investigation is expected to focus on the suspects’ movements, communications, financial links and possible connections to organizations operating inside or outside the United Kingdom.
