UK Police Arrest 5 Near Fairford Air Base Used By US Against Iran Over Explosives

Five men have been arrested over suspected explosives offences near RAF Fairford, a British air base used by US bombers during the war with Iran, after police received a report about three suspicious vehicles early Sunday.

Assistant Chief Constable Richard Ocone said police received the call at around 12:45 a.m. about the vehicles near the base. The five men were detained, with Gloucestershire Police working alongside counterterrorism officers on the investigation.

As a precaution, authorities evacuated 85 households in nearby Whelford, a village next to the air base. Residents were moved to a nearby leisure centre while police established a cordon around the area.

Gloucestershire Police said the men were detained under the Explosives Act, while Army bomb-disposal specialists examined several vehicles. Aerial footage broadcast by Sky News appeared to show a bomb-disposal robot moving between three white trucks, with two vehicles having their rear doors open and large black objects visible nearby.

Police said the situation appeared to be “contained” but have not confirmed whether the arrests were directly connected to RAF Fairford.

The base houses the headquarters of the US Air Force's 501st Combat Support Wing and 420th Air Base Squadron. Its use by American forces during the Iran war has heightened attention around the security operation.

RAF Fairford has been used by US forces for limited operations during the conflict. After the US-Israeli war against Iran began on February 28, Britain allowed the US military to use the base for strikes against Iranian missile sites.

Iran has alleged that bombers operating from RAF Fairford have also taken part in strikes beyond the scope originally permitted by Britain. The latest police operation, however, has not been publicly linked to Iran or the base.

A US Air Force spokesperson said American and British personnel remained vigilant and would take appropriate measures to protect people at the installation. The spokesperson said specific force-protection measures would not be discussed for operational-security reasons, adding that security conditions are continually assessed.

The arrests come amid wider British concerns over hostile-state activity. Officials said in March that national-security cases involving hostile states, including Iran, had increased 50% in the six months to December 2025.

Whelford resident Julian Tudsbery, who has lived in the village for 30 years, said a resident reported seeing three “suspicious vans” in the early hours before police arrived and ordered residents to evacuate.

Defence Secretary Wes Streeting thanked emergency and specialist teams responding to the incident and said the public could be reassured that the situation was being handled. Prime Minister Andy Burnham was also receiving updates, his office said.