Foiled Terror Attack at US-Operated UK Air Base: 5 Suspects Arrested | WPN World People News

RAF Fairford, a Royal Air Force base hosting U.S. bombers, was reportedly targeted in an attempted terrorist attack on the 27th of last month. Police arrested five male suspects near the base on suspicion of explosives and terrorism offenses. On the 2nd, another 25-year-old male suspect holding dual British and Iranian citizenship was arrested in London. British Prime Minister Andy Burnham convened an emergency cabinet meeting regarding the incident, stating that there were strong indications of Iranian involvement, echoing prior suggestions from U.S. officials that foreign powers may have been implicated.

The five British men detained by police were granted bail the following day, sparking widespread public discussion. Because police found no explosive devices inside the vehicle used by the suspects or around the air base—recovering only an unspecified quantity of gasoline—authorities declined to comment on the source or intended purpose of the fuel. While the five suspects have been released on bail, they remain under active investigation. Meanwhile, the dual British-Iranian national was arrested and questioned on suspicion of preparing acts of terrorism, and police also searched two residential addresses linked to him.

Vicki Evans, Senior National Coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP), stated that the investigation remains complex and that authorities are keeping all investigative lines open, including the possibility of foreign state involvement. The Iranian Embassy in London firmly rejected and strongly condemned any speculation regarding Iranian involvement.

RAF Fairford is one of Europe's largest air bases and the only installation on the continent hosting U.S. heavy bombers. Since hostilities between the U.S. and Iran erupted in February this year, the UK has permitted the U.S. military to launch strike missions against Iran from Fairford. As Iran had previously warned the UK against allowing the U.S. to use British bases to attack Iranian targets, Tehran had stated that it would view RAF Fairford as a legitimate military target.