Five Men Arrested Near UK Air Base Used to Strike Iran in Terror Plot

A Midnight Tip-Off Triggers a Major Security Operation

British police arrested five men near an airbase used by the U.S. on suspicion of explosive and terrorism offenses on Sunday after a tip-off that three vans had been heading to the military airfield, which has been used to strike Iran. The arrests, made in the early hours of Sunday, September 27, sent shockwaves through a quiet corner of rural England — and straight to the highest levels of government on both sides of the Atlantic.

London's Metropolitan Police received a call at 12:45 a.m. The five men were initially arrested on suspicion of committing offenses under the Explosives Act in the Whelford area, which backs onto RAF Fairford — the base that hosts the headquarters of the U.S. Air Force's 501st Combat Support Wing and the 420th Air Base Squadron. Counter Terrorism Policing subsequently confirmed that the five detained men were also arrested "on suspicion of preparation of a terrorist act."

Bomb Robots, Evacuations, and a 400-Meter Cordon

Aerial footage from Sky News appeared to show a bomb disposal robot roaming between three white trucks. The rear doors of two of the vans were open and large black items could be seen scattered around. The robot appeared to be working toward getting access to the third truck. The scene was jarring — a sleepy English village transformed overnight into an active counter-terrorism operation.

Police put a 400-meter cordon in place around the suspects' vehicles while armed forces explosives experts examined them. Around 85 households were also evacuated as a "precaution." Some residents were taken to a nearby recreation center. One evacuated resident described being told by officers that there had been "a major incident" with no further details given.

A Base at the Center of the Iran Conflict

The village of Whelford is located around 2 miles from RAF Fairford, which hosts the U.S. Air Force and has since February been serving as a key hub for American operations against Iran — including for heavy bombers like the B-1 Lancer and B-52 Stratofortress. That strategic role makes it one of the most sensitive military installations in Europe right now, and an obvious potential target for those opposed to U.S. military action.

Since March, the U.S. has used RAF Fairford to launch attacks on Iran, and the UK has authorized U.S. bombers based there to strike Iranian missile sites targeting ships in the Strait of Hormuz. The base's prominence in an active conflict zone gives the arrests an urgency that goes well beyond a typical domestic security incident. A British military airbase in central England was also broken into in June 2025 by the Palestine Action protest group, which has since been proscribed as a terrorist organization, underscoring that RAF Fairford has been a recurring flashpoint for those seeking to disrupt U.S. military operations.

Government Response and What Comes Next

President Donald Trump said that the suspects had been under surveillance for a "long time," telling reporters on Sunday that they were "looking to do big damage" to the U.S. Air Force base. Trump also said U.S. and U.K. authorities were working together on the investigation. The U.S. embassy in London warned Americans to be cautious and mindful of their personal security.

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham thanked emergency services for their assistance and local residents for their understanding as "precautionary checks" were carried out. Defence Secretary Wes Streeting also thanked the emergency and specialist teams who responded to the incident, saying "we can be reassured that this is being dealt with." Suspects arrested under the Terrorism Act 2000 can be detained for up to 14 days without charge, compared to the 24-hour limit for standard arrests, meaning investigators have significant time to build their case. With five men in custody, three vehicles under forensic examination, and an active war in the background, the pressure on British counter-terrorism authorities to uncover the full scope of the alleged plot — and any wider network behind it — could not be higher.