British counter-terrorism police are investigating a major security incident near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire after five men were arrested on suspicion of explosives offences and preparing a terrorist act.
Counter Terrorism Policing said on Monday, September 28, that all five suspects are British nationals from London and aged between 23 and 25. They were initially arrested on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act before being further arrested on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act under Section 5 of the Terrorism Act.
Police said they are working to establish what the men were doing near the airbase, what they knew and whether there was a specific motivation behind the incident.
“At this time, we are working to establish the full circumstances of the activity of those arrested, their knowledge and any motivation behind this incident,” Counter Terrorism Police said in a statement.
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The arrests followed a report shortly after midnight on Sunday about three suspicious vehicles apparently travelling towards RAF Fairford. Armed officers responded and arrested the five men in the nearby Whelford area.
Counter-terrorism investigators subsequently examined the scene, while bomb-disposal specialists were deployed to assess the vehicles. About 85 households in Whelford were evacuated as a precaution during the operation.
RAF Fairford is a British military base that has been used by the United States Air Force, including for operations in the Middle East. The base has become particularly significant amid the ongoing conflict involving the United States and Iran.
The arrests have prompted questions about whether the incident could have been connected to Iran. British authorities are examining possible links, but investigators have not established that the suspects were acting on behalf of Iran or any other foreign government. Other possibilities are also being considered.
However, Iran has denied involvement. The Iranian Embassy in London said it “categorically rejects and strongly condemns” what it described as speculation linking Tehran to the arrests.
Counter Terrorism Policing has stressed that the investigation remains at an early stage and that officers are pursuing multiple lines of inquiry.
Senior National Coordinator Vicki Evans said she was aware of speculation surrounding the possible motivation and the wider geopolitical questions raised by the incident. She called for investigators to be given the space to establish the facts.
The incident has also attracted attention from US President Donald Trump, who said the suspects had been under investigation and were allegedly looking to cause “big damage”. Trump also praised cooperation between British and US authorities.
However, his comments do not establish the suspects’ motive or confirm that the incident was directed by a foreign government.
British Defence Secretary Wes Streeting has also declined to speculate about the motive while the investigation remains active. He said the investigation was well under way and thanked those involved in responding to the incident.
No charges had been announced against the five men at the time of the latest police update, and the suspects have not been publicly identified.
Police said the investigation remains ongoing as officers examine evidence gathered from the scene and continue questioning the suspects.
Authorities are also working to establish whether anyone else was involved and what, if anything, the men intended to do near RAF Fairford.
The case remains under active investigation, with British counter-terrorism officers continuing to work with local police and other agencies to determine the full circumstances surrounding the arrests.
