President Donald Trump said Sunday that British and American authorities had thwarted a terrorist plot targeting RAF Fairford, an air base in England used by U.S. forces, before suspects could reach the site.
“The arrest in the UK was fantastic,” Trump told reporters, according to Reuters. “We had them under investigation. They were looking to do big damage to our port and working with the British worked out great.”
“We had them under view for a long time, and we got them,” Trump added.
The arrests followed a police operation near RAF Fairford, which authorities described as a “major incident” after explosives were found in vehicles near the base. The site hosts the U.S. Air Force’s 501st Combat Support Wing and has served as a key hub for American air operations.
Police set up a 400-meter cordon around the vehicles while an Army explosive ordnance disposal team examined them. About 85 nearby households were told to evacuate as a precaution. Officials said the incident was believed to be contained, though the investigation was continuing.
Counter Terrorism Policing Senior National Coordinator Vicki Evans said five men remained in custody as investigators worked to piece together what happened.
“We are in the early stages of an investigation, and five men remain in custody. As you would expect we are working closely with our partners to understand the circumstances of the incident,” Evans said.
Authorities have not publicly identified the suspects or confirmed a motive. Reuters reported, citing a source familiar with the investigation, that officials consider a possible Iranian-linked motive the most likely explanation, while also examining whether the plot could involve a Russian sabotage operation or an Islamist extremist plan.
RAF Fairford has taken on added significance amid tensions with Iran. Britain authorized U.S. bombers operating from the base to strike Iranian missile sites after those sites were allegedly used to attack shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, according to Reuters. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards had previously warned Britain against allowing American bombers to use Fairford, saying bases involved in such strikes could become targets themselves.
Security was also increased Sunday at two other bases used by American forces in England, RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall, with Reuters witnesses reporting armored vehicles and additional soldiers stationed at the gates.
Investigators have not said when they expect to determine a motive or bring formal charges. For now, officials say the immediate threat to RAF Fairford appears to have been contained before it could be carried out.
