UK Police question five men after RAF Fairford security scare

LONDON: British counter-terrorism police were questioning five men on Monday after they were detained near RAF Fairford, a military airbase in western England that has been used by the United States to launch strikes against Iranian missile sites.

Police initially detained three men in the early hours of Sunday after receiving a report about three large white vans travelling towards the airfield. Two additional men were subsequently detained as investigators expanded the operation.

The arrests triggered a major security response around the base, with authorities establishing a 400-metre cordon and evacuating residents from 85 homes. Armed officers were deployed at the main entrance, while heavy machinery was used to restrict access to other parts of the facility.

A bomb disposal robot was also seen examining the three white vans as detectives investigated possible explosives-related offences.

US President Donald Trump said the suspects appeared to have been planning to cause “big damage” and claimed that British and American authorities had been monitoring them. A local farmer, however, told investigators that she had alerted police after seeing several hooded and masked men running into nearby fields.

British authorities have not publicly confirmed a motive. A source familiar with the investigation said an Iranian-linked motive was among the possibilities being considered, alongside a potential Russian sabotage operation or an Islamist plot.

Defence Minister Wes Streeting declined to speculate while the investigation remained active. Speaking to private News, he said Britain was aware of threats from Iran and its proxies and that authorities regularly worked to prevent attacks against British interests and allies.

The incident comes amid heightened tensions involving Britain, the United States and Iran. The British government had authorised US aircraft operating from Fairford to participate in strikes against Iranian missile sites that had been attacking shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards had previously warned Britain that allowing US bombers to operate from Fairford could make the base a legitimate target.

Britain sanctioned 12 individuals and entities linked to Iran in May, accusing them of involvement in hostile activities, including alleged attack plots and financial support for destabilising groups. Tehran has repeatedly denied involvement in attacks or plots in Britain and other countries.

Security has now been increased around other US-linked military facilities across Britain as investigators continue questioning the detained men and examining the evidence recovered near RAF Fairford.