Counter-terror probe underway after explosives plot foiled near RAF base; five arrested

A hero local raised the alarm after spotting five men acting suspiciously around three white vans heading through Whelford toward RAF Fairford in the early hours of the morning. Armed police quickly descended on the Gloucestershire village, declaring a "major incident," cordoning off the area, and evacuating 85 residents to a nearby leisure center as a precaution.

Inside the vehicles, officers discovered explosive devices packed into the rear compartments. Bomb disposal experts and an Explosive Ordnance Disposal robot were deployed to probe the vans safely, while counter-terrorism officers and MI5 took control of the investigation. All five suspects were taken into custody under the Explosives Act and subsequently arrested on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act. Senior counter-terror officials noted the probe remains in its early stages as evidence collection continues.

Also read: Mojtaba Khamenei 'pulled from rubble' after hospital strike: Report  

High Alert Following Iranian Threats and Military Strikes

A UK government spokesperson confirmed that British Prime Minister Andy Burnham is receiving regular updates on the developments at the strategic air base, which serves as a major operational hub for US Air Force personnel and missions. Following the outbreak of the US-Israeli war with Iran on February 28, the British government granted the American military authorization to utilize the Fairford facility to carry out strikes against Iranian missile positions, including long-range B-52 bomber missions.

UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting commended the "specialist teams" for taking "swiftly" action, emphasizing that the "Armed Forces are on standby 24/7."

"We are grateful to the emergency services, who have acted quickly to detain several suspects and put measures in place to keep the community safe," a UK government spokesperson said, adding that "it would be inappropriate to comment further whilst investigations are ongoing."

Security at RAF Fairford—home to the U.S. 501st Combat Support Wing Headquarters—had already been heightened following a July warning from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which explicitly threatened to target the airfield alongside veiled threats directed at the "British monarchy regime." Addressing safety protocols, a US Air Force spokesperson declined to elaborate on specific force protection strategies, but emphasized that the "501st combat support wing and our fellow UK-based wings remain vigilant and will take appropriate actions to ensure the safety and security of our US service members, civilians, contractors, and their families."

"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 added. Commenting on the foiled plot, U.S. President Donald Trump praised the joint British-American operation, stating that investigators had the suspects under surveillance and prevented them from doing "big damage" to the installation.