Counter-terrorism officers are examining a potential link to Iran after armed police discovered explosive materials in three vans parked close to an RAF fairford base used by American forces.
According to reporting by the Guardian, five men arrested on terrorism-related charges are being questioned while investigators analyse items recovered from the vehicles, with early assessments suggesting the materials were consistent with components used in improvised explosive devices.
Photographs circulating online on Sunday showed several shirtless men being handcuffed on a dark rural lane in the early hours of the morning, after officers responded to reports of three unfamiliar vans heading toward RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, a base that supports US Air Force operations against Iran.
The apparent plot may have unravelled purely by chance: a member of the public noticed the group behaving oddly late at night in the countryside and dialled 999.
As the incident unfolded, all 85 households in the nearby village of Whelford were swiftly evacuated to a leisure centre in Cirencester, while a 400-metre security cordon was established around the vans. Army bomb disposal robots were brought in to examine the vehicles, with tests continuing throughout the day to determine whether the suspected devices were capable of detonating.
The five men, initially detained on suspicion of Explosives Act offences, were re-arrested later on Sunday on suspicion of preparing an act of terrorism. Investigators believe the decision to have the men remove their shirts may have been a safety precaution, guarding against the possibility of concealed weapons or suicide vests.
One of the vans reportedly bore the branding of a fuel company, along with a phone number missing a digit. The genuine company of that name denied any involvement, saying it was “extremely concerned” its identity had been used without consent, and confirmed it was assisting police with their inquiries.
Counter-terrorism police said in a statement: “At around 12.45am today (Sunday 27 September), police received a call relating to three suspicious vehicles which appeared to be travelling towards the RAF fairford airbase. Armed officers responded and five men were arrested in the Whelford area on suspicion of committing offences under the Explosives Act. They were further arrested on suspicion of preparation of a terrorist act, contrary to section 5 of the Terrorism Act.”
A possible Iranian connection
The arrests come against the backdrop of ongoing hostilities between the US and Iran. In July, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps referenced role of RAF Fairford in supporting American bombing missions, cautioning that “any base used for aggression against Iranian territory constitutes a legitimate target for our forces.”
Security officials are now working to establish a motive. Given the base’s location and Tehran’s earlier warning, an Iran-linked motive is reportedly high on investigators’ list of possibilities, though sources caution that no theory, including a jihadist motive, has been ruled out. The UK’s terror threat level remains at “severe,” indicating an attack is considered highly likely.
Whether any foreign state played a role is now central to the inquiry, particularly given Iran’s intelligence services’ history of orchestrating operations abroad. Confirmation of Iranian involvement would represent a significant escalation in tensions with London. Several recent UK incidents have already been tied to Iran, including an antisemitic arson attack on Jewish ambulances in Golders Green, but the alleged RAF Fairford plot would mark a far more serious development.
The episode also raises pointed questions for British security services, who appear to have had no prior knowledge of the plot before police were alerted by a resident’s chance 999 call.
President Donald Trump claimed the suspects had been monitored for a “long time” and said they had intended to “do big damage,” though the Guardian understands the operation was not the result of prior intelligence work, indicating investigators were not aware of the plot in advance. “It was fantastic. Working with Britain, it was an amazing job,” Trump said.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham, attending the Labour party conference in Liverpool, was being briefed on developments throughout the day and pulled out of a planned football match between journalists and politicians to focus on the response. He described the situation as “deeply concerning” and said the government would “always take every step necessary” to keep the public safe.
Where is RAF Fairford
RAF Fairford sits in the Cotswolds, roughly four miles (6.4km) from the town of Fairford, which is situated along the banks of the River Coln.
The base has a long-standing connection with the US military and has more recently served as a launch point for American warplanes carrying out defensive strikes against Iran.
RAF Fairford incident is now being investifated one of the most serious domestic terror investigations in recent years, with police, security services and government officials all racing to determine how close the alleged plot came to succeeding, and whether it was directed from abroad. Until that picture becomes clearer, the cordon around the base is expected to remain in place, and residents of Whelford have been told not to expect a swift return home.