Nicolai Haugsted
Trump claims five men were preparing to cause “big damage” at a British air base used by the US.
Security surrounding American military operations in Britain has suddenly become considerably harder to ignore.
RAF Fairford has played a role in US operations connected to the war with Iran, making the Gloucestershire airfield strategically important far beyond the quiet countryside surrounding it.
Sunday morning brought that geopolitical tension directly to the base’s doorstep.
British armed police arrested five men after authorities received a report about three suspicious vans apparently heading toward RAF Fairford. Counterterrorism officers are now investigating what the men intended to do, while Donald Trump says American and British authorities had been watching them for some time.
Trump’s description was considerably less cautious than the official British account.
According to the president, the suspects wanted to do “big damage.”
Three vans trigger a major security response
Police received information during the early hours of Sunday about three vehicles apparently travelling toward RAF Fairford.
Armed officers subsequently arrested five men.
Investigators initially detained them on suspicion of explosives offences before they were held on suspicion of preparing an act of terrorism, according to the supplied Reuters report.
Bomb disposal specialists examined the vans while police established a 400-metre cordon around the area.
Residents from 85 nearby homes were evacuated as a precaution, while armed officers remained around the site.
British counterterrorism officials said the immediate incident appeared to have been contained.
Investigators have not publicly identified an organization or country behind the alleged plot.
Trump says the suspects were watched for a long time
Trump praised the arrests while speaking to reporters on Sunday.
“The arrest in the UK was fantastic,” Trump said according to Reuters, describing the operation as “an amazing job.”
The president then suggested US authorities had already been involved in monitoring the men.
“We had them under investigation. They were looking to do big damage to our fort and working with the British worked out great … We had them under view for a long time, and we got them,” Trump said.
British police have so far offered fewer details about what investigators believe the suspects were planning.
Counter Terrorism Policing Senior National Coordinator Vicki Evans stressed that detectives were still establishing exactly what happened.
“We are in the early stages of an investigation, and five men remain in custody,” Evans said.
“As you would expect we are working closely with our partners to understand the circumstances of the incident.”
Investigators are examining several possible motives
No motive has officially been established.
Reuters reported, citing a source familiar with the investigation, that an Iranian connection was considered the most likely possibility at this stage.
Investigators were also examining whether the incident could have involved Russian sabotage or an Islamist plot.
None of those possibilities has been established publicly by police, and the five arrested men have not been convicted of any offence.
RAF Fairford’s role in the Iran conflict nevertheless makes the Iranian possibility particularly sensitive.
Britain previously authorized American forces to use British bases for specific operations targeting Iranian missiles. A US bomber subsequently arrived at RAF Fairford as part of those operations.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards later warned Britain against allowing American bombers to operate from Fairford, according to the supplied Reuters report, saying bases used for attacks could become legitimate targets.
A late-night drive raises the alarm
Sunday’s police operation reportedly began with an observant local resident.
A farmer told the Daily Telegraph that she spotted several vans and men behaving suspiciously while returning home from a party.
“I saw a group of Middle Eastern-looking young guys running off through the trees. Some of them had masks or balaclavas on, and they all scattered ahead of us as we drove back past,” she said.
Her description of the men’s perceived appearance does not establish their nationality, ethnicity or motive.
“Some of them ran into the fields, and some of them turned to run towards the air base … I mean, you don’t see masked men running around at half one in the morning in the countryside near a secure air base and not have concerns.”
Police were alerted, setting off the security response that ultimately resulted in five arrests.
Fairford was already on alert
Concerns surrounding the airfield did not begin on Sunday.
Local councillor Tristan Wilkinson told Reuters that security had already been strengthened following an earlier threat.
“So there was a specific threat about six weeks ago from the Iranians on this base. At the time, there was increased surveillance around the area,” Wilkinson said.
Signs of heightened security could also be seen elsewhere following Sunday’s arrests.
Reuters witnesses reported armored vehicles and soldiers stationed at the entrances to RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall, two other bases in England used by American forces.
The US Air Force declined to discuss specific security measures.
“The 501st Combat Support Wing and our fellow UK-based Wings remain vigilant and will take appropriate actions to ensure the safety and security of our US service members, civilians, contractors, and their families,” an Air Force spokesperson said.
British prime minister kept informed
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham was being updated on the investigation, according to the supplied Reuters report.
Burnham thanked police and military personnel responding to the incident.
“I know today’s incident near RAF Fairford will be deeply concerning for local residents and for many people following developments across the country,” he wrote on X.
Authorities have faced an increasingly complicated security environment surrounding British military and critical infrastructure.
British officials have separately warned businesses and infrastructure operators about possible Russian sabotage and cyberattacks. Moscow denies conducting hybrid attacks against Western countries.
Sunday’s investigation has not established any Russian involvement.
