Trump Says Terror Suspects Sought ‘Big Damage’ at Air Base Used by U.S.

British police arrested five men near RAF Fairford on Sunday after receiving information that three suspicious vans appeared to be heading toward the military airfield in western England. The base is used by U.S. forces and has supported strikes against Iran.

The men were arrested by armed officers on suspicion of explosive and terrorism offenses. They were later held on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act, while police said they believed the incident had been contained.

President Donald Trump said British and U.S. authorities had been investigating the suspects before the arrests. He told reporters that the men had been seeking to cause serious destruction at the facility.

“The arrest in the UK was fantastic,” Trump said, describing the operation as “an amazing job.” He credited cooperation between American and British authorities for the result.

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“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.

British counter terrorism detectives are leading the investigation. Police said they received a call during the early hours of Sunday concerning three vehicles that appeared to be traveling toward RAF Fairford.

Counter Terrorism Policing Senior National Coordinator Vicki Evans said all five suspects remained in custody as investigators worked to establish what had happened. Authorities did not publicly identify the men or say who they believed was involved.

“We are in the early stages of an investigation, and five men remain in custody,” Evans said in a statement. “As you would expect, we are working closely with our partners to understand the circumstances of the incident.”

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A 400 meter cordon was established around the base while a bomb disposal unit examined the vans. Local residents from 85 homes in a nearby village were evacuated, and armed officers patrolled the area during the security response.

On Sunday morning, armed police blocked access to the installation while large machinery provided another barrier. Gloucestershire Police Assistant Chief Constable Richard Ocone said the public should expect emergency personnel to remain in the area.

“A cordon is in place as a precaution, and the public can expect to see an emergency services presence in the area for some time,” Ocone told reporters. The Daily Mail website published a photograph of five shirtless men who it said had been arrested.

Reuters witnesses also reported increased security at RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall in eastern England, two other bases used by the United States. Armored vehicles and soldiers were positioned at the gates of those installations.

A U.S. Air Force spokesperson declined to discuss specific force protection measures. The spokesperson said the 501st Combat Support Wing and other wings based in the United Kingdom remained vigilant and would take appropriate steps to protect 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 said. The statement did not identify any specific security changes following the arrests.

Image Credit: DoW

The British government has authorized the United States to use bombers based at Fairford to strike Iranian missile sites that were attacking ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Prime Minister Andy Burnham was being updated about the incident, according to the government.

“I know today’s incident near RAF Fairford will be deeply concerning for local residents and for many people following developments across the country,” Burnham wrote on X. Britain said in July that its armed forces were ready to protect the country from any attack.

That announcement followed a warning from Iran’s Revolutionary Guards against allowing U.S. bombers to operate from Fairford. The group said any base used to launch attacks would be considered a legitimate target.

Police have not publicly stated what motive they are examining. A source familiar with the investigation said a motive linked to Iran was considered the most likely, while investigators were also examining a possible Russian sabotage operation or an Islamist plot.

British ministers have previously briefed critical infrastructure providers about threats posed by Russia amid government concerns over possible sabotage operations and cyberattacks. Russia denies conducting hybrid attacks against Western countries.

The arrests also followed a June 2025 break in at a British military air base in central England by the Palestine Action protest group. The organization has since been proscribed as a terrorist organization.

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