RAF Fairford arrests: five men held over 'big damage' plot

FAIRFORD, England — Five men remained in British police custody on May 9, 2026, days after being arrested near RAF Fairford, the US-used air base at the centre of recent strikes against Iran. President Donald Trump said the men were under surveillance and intended to cause "big damage" at the site. The arrests took place in the early hours of Sunday, May 3, and police believe the immediate threat has been contained.

Detectives in the UK counterterrorism network responded to a tip about three vans traveling toward the Gloucestershire base in the pre-dawn hours. Armed officers stopped the vehicles and detained the occupants. They were later held on suspicion of "preparation of a terrorist act," an offense under British law that can apply to plotting, reconnaissance, or assembling equipment for an attack.

Counter Terrorism Policing Senior National Coordinator Vicki Evans described the case as being in its early stages. "Five men remain in custody," she said in a statement. "As you would expect we are working closely with our partners to understand the circumstances of the incident."

A 400-meter cordon was placed around RAF Fairford after the arrests. The base's bomb disposal team was called in to examine the vans, and residents in 85 nearby homes were told to leave while armed police patrolled the area. Security was also tightened at other facilities used by the US military in England, with armored vehicles and soldiers deployed outside RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall.

The White House praised the UK operation. Trump told reporters the arrest was "fantastic" and said cooperation between US and British authorities had been in place for some time. "We had them under investigation," he said. "They were looking to do big damage to our fort, and working with the British worked out great."

Investigators have not publicly identified the five men or discussed a formal motive. A source familiar with the inquiry said the leading hypothesis is an Iranian-linked plot, given recent threats from Tehran over the use of Fairford by US bombers. Russian sabotage activity and Islamist extremism were also listed as possibilities.

The warning from Iran's Revolutionary Guards came in July, when it said any air base used to launch attacks on Iranian targets would become a legitimate military target. RAF Fairford has served as a staging point for US heavy bombers in operations against Iranian missile batteries near the Strait of Hormuz.

Local councillor Tristan Wilkinson said residents and officials had been on alert for weeks. "There was a specific threat about six weeks ago from the Iranians on this base," he told Reuters. "At the time, there was increased surveillance around the area."

A woman who lives close to the base said she spotted the suspects while driving home from a party. "I saw a group of Middle Eastern-looking young guys running off through the trees," she told the Daily Telegraph. "Some of them had masks or balaclavas on, and they all scattered ahead of us as we drove back past."

Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who was receiving updates on the response, said the incident would be deeply concerning for locals. In a post on X, he thanked the police and armed forces. "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.

The threat against US bases in Britain is not new. Senior British officials have repeatedly warned operators of critical infrastructure about Russian sabotage and cyber operations, although Moscow denies targeting Western countries. The latest episode echoes concerns that foreign state actors could try to damage or gather intelligence on bases hosting US nuclear-capable aircraft.

Legal specialists say the charge chosen by police gives them room to investigate. Under the UK Terrorism Act, suspects can be held for up to 14 days before being charged or released. Detectives will likely use that time to analyze communications, vehicle contents, and digital devices recovered during the arrests.

The US Air Force said it could not discuss force protection details but noted that its units in the UK "remain vigilant and will take appropriate actions to ensure the safety and security of our service members, civilians, contractors, and their families." That statement came from a spokesperson for the 501st Combat Support Wing, which oversees USAF operations at Fairford.

RAF Fairford has a long history as a contingency base for American strategic bombers. Its runway is one of the few in Britain cleared to handle heavyweight aircraft like the B-52 Stratofortress and B-2 Spirit. Because the station does not have the same permanent presence as other US bases, security depends heavily on local police and visiting force protection units.

Analysts say the vans and the nighttime movements described by the witness suggest a surveillance or positioning phase rather than an immediate strike. If that assessment holds, the case could be a major counterterrorism success for both British and American agencies.

The investigation is expected to continue through the coming days, with further court hearings likely if charges are filed. Police have asked the public to remain vigilant but have not raised the national threat level. For now, the focus is on whether the five men acted alone or as part of a wider cell.

This story is developing. More information may be added as it becomes available.