+34
Five British men in their 20s were released on bail after being arrested on explosives and terror charges near RAF Fairford, a U.S.-operated air base, as police investigate possible links to Iran, Russia or non-state groups.
FAIRFORD, England - Five young British men arrested on explosives and terror charges near a U.S.-operated air force base in England were released on bail Monday, and counterterror detectives said they were investigating multiple lines of inquiry, including whether there is a link to Iran.
The men were detained early Sunday after three vans were spotted in the countryside near RAF Fairford, a U.K.-owned base that has been used by American bombers during decades of conflicts in the Middle East. Investigators have not concluded whether the incident was state-backed. They are investigating a possible link to Iran, Russia or non-state militant groups. RAF Fairford has also been the focus of protests by anti-war campaigners.
Suspects Face Terror Charges And Strict Bail
The five suspects, who have not been named, were initially held over suspected explosives offenses, and later also arrested on suspicion of preparing an act of terrorism. Police said the men are all British nationals from London and in their 20s. The head of U.K. Counter Terrorism Policing, Laurence Taylor, said that the suspects face stringent bail conditions and absolutely remain under investigation.
Taylor said lines of inquiry include that the suspected offenses were committed by proxies or individuals, either knowingly or unknowingly, working on behalf of a foreign state. Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he would chair a meeting of the government's COBRA emergency committee later Monday to discuss developments. Iran denied involvement. The Iranian Embassy in London said that it categorically rejects and strongly condemns the recent unfounded and malicious speculations about the incident.
Residents were evacuated from 85 homes in the village of Whelford near the base on Sunday, and army bomb-disposal experts used a robot to examine three white vans. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said Monday afternoon that thanks to the excellent work of the army's explosive ordnance disposal team, the scene was now safe and residents could go home. The arrests came after reports of suspicious vehicles.
Trump Claims Cooperation With British Intelligence
U.S. President Donald Trump said the suspects had been detained following cooperation between the U.S. and Britain, and had been under view for some time. Police, however, said the arrests were triggered by a late-night call about suspicious vehicles near the base. A local farmer said she called police after seeing three oddly parked vans as she drove home late Saturday night, and that nearby she came across a large group of men, some with their faces covered.
She said they ran off in several directions when they saw her vehicle. She declined to be identified to protect her identity because she was describing what she saw as potential security lapses. British Defense Secretary Wes Streeting said the farmer did exactly the right thing by calling police but only had a partial view of the operation.
Streeting declined to give details of the operation, but said that it was a proud moment that Trump had recognized the work that our police and intelligence services do every day. As and when we can, we will report back to the public about these individuals and about the nature of the threat, Streeting told Times Radio.
Rising Threat From Hostile State Proxies
The arrests came at a time of heightened tensions around the threat from hostile states, with British intelligence services saying Russia and Iran have both used proxies to commit crimes on U.K. soil. In March, officials said the number of national security cases involving activity by hostile states, including Iran, increased by 50% in the six months to December 2025. Iran has been linked to a series of attacks in Europe.
Britain did not join the U.S. and Israel in the Iran war, which began on Feb. 28, and initially denied Trump's request to use bases in the U.K. to strike Iran. But then Prime Minister Keir Starmer agreed in March to let the U.S. use bases in Britain for what he called defensive operations against Iran's missiles and their launch sites following Iranian attacks on U.K. interests and Britain's allies in the Gulf.
American B-1 and B-52 bombers have taken off from Fairford, 100 miles (160 kilometers) west of London, for operations during the Iran conflict. Iran has said that it considers any base used to attack its territory a legitimate target. British security officials say proxies linked to Iran have been behind a string of arson and sabotage attempts in the U.K. and other countries, many of them targeting the Jewish community.
Officials Warn Of Expanded Iranian Targets
They have previously warned that Tehran could expand its targets in the U.K. if conflicts in the Middle East continue. U.K. Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said Monday that the incident is a reminder of the threats our country faces. Miliband met Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi at the United Nations in New York last week and told him that Britain will not tolerate intimidation, threats or hostile activity on U.K. soil, according to a U.K. readout of the conversation.
The U.S. Air Force said that its personnel based at RAF Fairford remain vigilant, but for operational security reasons we will not discuss specific force protection measures. The U.S. Embassy in London has warned Americans in Britain to be cautious and mindful of their personal security. Trump said that authorities had the suspects under view for a long time and we got them. It was an amazing job.
We had them under investigation. They were looking to do big damage to our fort. And working with the British worked out great, he told reporters in Chicago on Sunday. Jill Lawless reported from Liverpool, England. Ben Finley in Washington contributed to this report.
HuffPostCanada 
CP24:5 men arrested near a U.S.-run air base are bailed as U.K. police probe whether there’s a link to IranThis story was compiled and edited by the HeadTopics newsroom and HT AI from the reports above.
Iran England Us Air Force Raf Fairford RAF Fairford Arrests UK Counterterrorism Investigation Iran Link Suspicion US Air Base Security Terror Bail Release
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News: You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
UK Police Arrest Several Men Over Explosives Offenses Near US Air Base RAF FairfordBritish counterterrorism police are leading an investigation after several men were arrested on suspicion of explosives offenses near RAF Fairford, a base used by US bombers in the Iran war. Bomb disposal experts examined vehicles as residents were evacuated and a major incident was declared.
Read more »
UK Police Hold 5 Men Over Suspected Explosives and Terrorism Plot Near RAF FairfordFive British men in their 20s are being questioned on suspicion of explosives offenses and preparing an act of terrorism after being detained near RAF Fairford, a base used by U.S. bombers to strike Iran. Investigators are examining possible links to Iran, Russia or militant groups while residents of 85 evacuated homes remain unable to return.
Read more »
British police arrest five men near RAF Fairford, investigate Iran-linked attackPolice are holding five men and examining suspected explosives found near a U.S.-operated air base in England, investigating whether the arrests foiled an attempted attack linked to Iran.
Read more »
Five British Men Held Over Suspected Attack Plot at RAF FairfordPolice are holding five British nationals from London in their 20s after three vans and suspected explosives were found near the U.S.-operated RAF Fairford base in England. Counterterror detectives are investigating a possible link to Iran.
Read more »