British police have arrested five men near RAF Fairford airbase, which is used as an operational base for U.S. bombers in attacks on Iran. This action followed a specific threat from Iran about six weeks ago, which led to increased surveillance in the area.
Incident Details
A local council member, Tristan Wilkinson, stated that these threats had been reported to local authorities. The British government has allowed the United States to use bombers stationed at Fairford to target Iranian missile sites that attack ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Prime Minister Andy Burnham is also aware of the incident.
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The British government announced in July that the country's armed forces are prepared to protect the nation from any attacks after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned that they would not allow U.S. bombers to fly from Fairford and stated that any base used to launch attacks would be a legitimate target.
Arrests and Investigations
Police were alerted at 12:45 AM on Sunday about three suspicious vehicles heading toward the base. Armed officers from Gloucestershire police were dispatched to the scene and arrested five men in the Woolford area, about a mile away from the base. These individuals were initially arrested on suspicion of violating explosives laws, and further arrests were made on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act. The counter-terrorism police are now leading the investigation.
About 85 households were evacuated from their homes near the location where the three vehicles were discovered, and a security cordon of 400 meters has been established around the area. The army's explosive ordnance disposal unit has also conducted necessary investigations. Police have stated that people should expect to see emergency services in the area for an extended period.
A local farmer reported that after seeing three large white vans near the base while returning from a party, he informed the police and witnessed a group of "hooded and masked men" running toward the fields and towards Fairford. British Defense Secretary, Wes Streeting, expressed appreciation for the eyewitness in an interview with the BBC, stating that he only saw part of the reality.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced that this group had been under surveillance and their intent was to cause "significant harm" to the base.
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