British police arrested five men near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire after reports of three suspicious vehicles heading towards the base early on 27 September. The men were detained in the Whelford area on suspicion of explosives offences and later on suspicion of preparation of a terrorist act, while Army bomb disposal teams examined the vehicles and about 85 households were evacuated as a precaution.
The investigation is centred on an airfield used by US forces and linked to bomber operations in strikes against Iran. Counter Terrorism Policing said the case was still at an early stage and that the five suspects remained in custody, while officers established a 400-metre cordon around the vehicles. Police also indicated the operation was not intelligence-led, contrasting with Donald Trump’s claim that the men had been under watch for a long time.
Trump described the arrests as a joint US and UK effort and said the suspects were looking to do big damage. He later told reporters that more details would follow, without elaborating further. The incident briefly disrupted security around the base and drew renewed attention to protective measures at a site with an active US military role in Britain.