UK counterterrorism police said five men were arrested on Sunday near RAF Fairford in western England on suspicion of planning terrorist acts. The arrests were made under explosives legislation. Authorities declared a major incident in a neighbouring village and evacuated 85 households. No charges or confirmed details of an alleged plan had been announced.
US President Donald Trump said American authorities had worked closely with British security services. He said investigators had monitored the suspects for a long time and that they intended to cause major damage to the base. Trump made the remarks to reporters after arriving in Illinois for a golf tournament.
RAF Fairford is a Royal Air Force base that hosts US Air Force operations. The report says it has supported missions against Iran since February amid the widening Middle East conflict. In July, Britain said its armed forces were ready to defend themselves against a possible Iranian response after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned about US bombers operating from Fairford. Security around the facility was increased afterward.
British police continue to investigate. Authorities have confirmed the five arrests, the evacuation of 85 households and suspicions of planned terrorism, but have not released further details about the alleged threat.