UK Police Investigate Five British Nationals Arrested Over Alleged Terror Plot Near RAF Fairford

Armed police officers stand guard on a road outside the perimeter of the RAF Fairford airbase on Monday, September 28.

Fairford, England — Five UK nationals arrested on suspicion of plotting a terrorist attack against an airbase in England used by long-range US bombers are all residents of London aged between 23 and 25, according to British counter-terrorism police, who cited “multiple new lines of enquiry.”

The suspects, whose identities have not been released, were taken into custody early Sunday near the Fairford base in western England, a facility utilized by US B-1 bombers for missions against Iran.

“This is a hugely complex and large-scale operation,” Vicki Evans, a senior counter-terrorism officer, stated on Monday. UK authorities have withheld details regarding where the men are being held or what was discovered inside three white vans reportedly used by the group. Aerial footage captured on Sunday displayed a bomb disposal robot operating among the vans in nearby woods, with the rear doors of two vehicles open and large black items scattered on the ground. CNN teams stationed nearby subsequently heard sounds resembling two controlled detonations coming from the direction of the village where the vans were discovered.

When questioned about potential foreign state involvement, British Defense Minister Wes Streeting remarked on Monday that he did not “want to speculate at this stage of the investigation.” In July, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps specifically highlighted Fairford's use by US bombers, cautioning the UK that “any base used for aggression against Iranian territory constitutes a legitimate target for our forces.”

Conversely, the Iranian embassy in London released a statement on Monday declaring that it “categorically rejects and strongly condemns the recent unfounded and malicious speculations published by some British individuals and media outlets attempting to link Iran to arrest of five suspects in the vicinity of RAF Fairford base.”

US President Donald Trump described the arrests as “fantastic,” noting that the US and the UK had monitored the men under investigation for “a long time.” Speaking to reporters in Chicago, President Donald Trump commended the collaboration, stating, “Working with Britain, it was an amazing job. They were looking to do big damage to our fort and working with the British worked out great.” UK authorities have yet to comment on the remarks made by President Donald Trump.

Photographs showing the men shirtless with their hands tied behind their backs circulated in UK media on Sunday. Initially detained under explosives possession laws, they faced additional arrests “on suspicion of preparation of a terrorist act,” as outlined by counter-terrorism police.

A local farmer recounted coming across the group on Saturday night, telling CNN that three white vans blocked both the driveway and the road in a “strange formation” roughly 100 meters from the base fence. Believing the group exceeded five individuals, most with their faces covered, she reported that some ran into a field while others fled toward the neighboring village. Her phone records confirmed she contacted emergency services at 1:40 a.m., prompting the arrival of armed police within ten to 15 minutes.

Multiple UK media outlets, including the BBC, the Guardian, and the Telegraph, indicated through sources that the operation was not intelligence-led, pointing to local vigilance as a potential catalyst. Counter-terrorism police confirmed receiving an initial call regarding three suspicious vehicles heading toward the airbase roughly an hour prior to the resident's call. Wes Streeting noted that the resident possessed “a partial picture,” emphasizing that security services and police work often occurs “unsung, unreported, for good reason.”

A security cordon remains active in the detention area, resulting in the evacuation of several local residents. While roadblocks and security checks remain established around RAF Fairford, surrounding roads and lanes stay open, though local residents noted heightened security measures compared to earlier periods following the onset of the Iran conflict.

In March, the UK government authorized the US Air Force to utilize Fairford for conducting strikes against Iranian missile sites involved in attacks on ships within the Strait of Hormuz. Following the Iranian threats in July, Iranian media shared a video featuring individuals identifying as Iranian patriots near the base perimeter fence.

A US Air Force spokesperson at Fairford, home to the 501st Combat Support Wing, declined to discuss specific force protection measures due to operational security, assuring that the unit “remains vigilant and will take appropriate actions to ensure the safety and security of our US service members, civilians, contractors, and their families.”