Trump: 5 terrorism suspects in U.K. base incident were under investigation
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Emergency personnel and vehicles are seen on September 27, 2026 in Fairford, United Kingdom. Photo: David Bown/Getty Images
British police arrested five men Sunday on suspicion of terrorism near a U.K. air base used for U.S. operations in Iran, as President Trump said the suspects had been under investigation.
The latest: "Working with Britain, it was an amazing job," Trump told reporters Sunday morning. "We had them under investigation. They were looking to do big damage to our fort, and working with the British worked out great and we got them."
The big picture: Officials declared a major incident and set up roadblocks overnight near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, southwestern England.
- The incident, which British investigators did not immediately link to Tehran, comes one day after Trump said he'd rejected the latest Iranian proposal to end the war — though he told Axios's Barak Ravid on Sunday that he expects fresh talks this week.
State of play: Police received a call around 12.45 a.m. Sunday local time relating to "three suspicious vehicles" that appeared to be traveling towards the air base used by the U.S. 501st Combat Support Wing and the 420th Air Base Squadron, per a Metropolitan Police statement.
- Armed officers responded in the area of Whelford, a village some 33 miles from the city of Oxford. There they arrested the men "on suspicion of committing offenses under the Explosives Act" and they were further arrested "on suspicion of preparation of a terrorist act, contrary to section 5 of the Terrorism Act," according to the statement.
Zoom in: U.K. counter-terrorism official Vicki Evans said officers established a 400-meter cordon (roughly a quarter-mile) around vehicles in the area while the British Army's Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit conducted examinations.
- "As a precaution, around 85 households have been evacuated whilst these examinations take place," she said in a statement.
- A nearby leisure centre was opened for people evacuated from the area.
Context: RAF Fairford is the U.S. Air Force's preferred bomber forward operating location in Europe and supports a variety of missions and exercises throughout the year, according to the Air Force.
Flashback: Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned in July that any base used for attacks on Iranian territory would be considered a "legitimate target" in a statement that specifically referenced U.S. B-1 bombers flying from RAF Fairford.
What they're saying: The 501st Combat Support Wing told Axios that no U.S. Air Force personnel were involved in the incident.
- "The 501st Combat Support Wing appreciates the swift response and continued support of our local law enforcement partners," the statement said. "We remain in close coordination with our UK partners to help ensure the safety and security of both our military and local communities."
Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional details throughout.
