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British 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.
British counterterrorism police have taken the lead of an investigation into the arrest of several men over suspected explosives offenses near RAF Fairford, a Royal Air Force base used by U.S. bombers in the Iran war.
Gloucestershire police said Sunday that the men were detained on suspicion of offenses under the Explosives Act, and that army bomb-disposal experts were examining several vehicles. A major incident was declared. 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.
Police said the situation appeared to be contained but did not confirm the arrests were linked to the base, though the proximity of RAF Fairford has raised speculation that there is a link. Residents in a number of properties in Whelford, western England, have been taken to a nearby leisure center. Whelford is near Fairford, a base that American forces have used for strictly limited strikes during the war with Iran.
A Reuters eyewitness said armed police had blocked access to the main gate of the base, while equipment had been positioned in front of access points. Around 30 emergency vehicles, including police cars, ambulances and fire engines, were stationed in the village of Fairford near the base. A number of properties are currently being evacuated in the Whelford area following the declaration of a major incident, Gloucestershire police said in a statement.
U.K. Allows U.S. Strikes on Iran
It follows the arrest of several men on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act. The Army specialist explosive ordnance disposal team are currently examining a number of vehicles. After the start of the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran on Feb. 28, the U.K. government allowed the American military to use the Fairford base to strike Iranian missile sites. Iran Revolutionary Guards warned in July that any base used in strikes would be a legitimate target.
A spokesperson for the U.S. Air Force declined to discuss specific force protection measures. The 501st Combat Support Wing and our fellow U.K.-based Wings remain vigilant and will take appropriate actions to ensure the safety and security of our U.S. service members, civilians, contractors, and their families, the spokesperson said. We constantly assess a variety of factors that determine what measures we institute or modify to protect our installations, our people and their families, the spokesperson said.
Britain Defends Fairford Base Security
Britain said in July its armed forces were ready to protect the country from any attack after Iran Revolutionary Guards warned the U.K. not to allow U.S. bombers to fly from Fairford. British ministers have also briefed providers of critical infrastructure on the threat posed by Russia, with the government increasingly concerned about possible sabotage operations and cyberattacks. Russia denies mounting hybrid attacks on Western nations.
The arrests come at a time of heightened tensions around the threat from hostile states to the U.K., with Russia and Iran among those that have used proxies to commit crimes on their behalf on British soil. In March, officials said the number of national security cases involving activity by hostile states including Iran increased 50 per cent in the six months to December 2025.
Britain Defense Secretary Wes Streeting thanked the emergency and specialist teams who responded to the incident. We can be reassured that this is being dealt with, he said. Prime Minister Andy Burnham is receiving updates on the situation, his office said.
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CP24:This story was compiled and edited by the HeadTopics newsroom and HT AI from the reports above.
RAF Fairford UK Police Explosives Offences US Air Base Major Incident Explosives Act Arrests UK Counterterrorism Iran War Whelford Evacuation
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