Trump says RAF Fairford terror suspects were 'looking to do big damage' to US forces as Iran link is probed

Donald Trump has warned the five men arrested over a foiled terror attack at RAF Fairford were 'looking to do big damage' to US forces.

The arrests come amid heightened concerns around the threat from hostile states to the UK, with Russia among those that have used proxies to commit crimes on their behalf on British soil.

However, counter-terrorism police are understood to be probing a potential link to Iran. 

RAF Fairford, in Gloucestershire, is the US Air Force's command outpost for operations from Europe and has been used for American strikes on Iranian missile sites that have been attacking ships in the Strait of Hormuz.

The base was the subject of a warning from Iran's Revolutionary Guard in July, with the regime warning Britain not to allow US bombers to fly from the base.

The US President praised the UK police response and suggested authorities already had the suspects under investigation. 

Heavily-armed personnel are seen at the main entrance to RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire

Five men were pictured as police arrested them on terror charges this morning near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire

They were reported around 12.45am by a heroic local who saw them 'acting suspiciously' near three white vans close to the perimeter of the air base, which were later found to contain viable incendiary devices

The group were shirtless and handcuffed, suggesting police suspected they may be wearing suicide vests

He told reporters in Illinois: 'It was fantastic. Working with Britain, it was an amazing job. We had them under investigation. They were looking to do big damage to our fort, and working with the British worked out great. 

'It may have been Scotland Yard, I don't know. We worked with a lot of them. We had them under view for a long time, and we got them. Thank you.'

However, today's arrests are not believed to be part of a pre-planned operation, meaning police were previously unaware of the plot.

It comes as a local farmer was said to have alerted police over the alleged car bomb plot after stumbling upon five 'Middle Eastern-looking, masked' men on the way home from a party.

'I just thought what the hell are they doing… I saw a group of Middle Eastern-looking young guys running off through the trees. Some of them had masks or balaclavas on, and they all scattered ahead of us as we drove back past.

'Some of them ran into the fields, and some of them turned to run towards the air base. We realised this was something pretty serious,' she told the Telegraph.

But responding to Mr Trump's words on Fairford, Wes Steeting said: 'This is my first experience as Defence Secretary in responding live to the president. 

'I'm sure it won't be the last.'

He praised the 'exemplary response' from security services to the incident but refused to comment on the 'underlying motivations' of those arrested.

Speaking at a Labour Party conference fringe event in Liverpool, he said it was 'an example of what they do day in, day out, at all hours and all across the world, to keep us safe, so often going unnoticed and unsung, but we are glad that they do and we are glad that they are there to defend us'.

He added: 'We owe them a huge debt of thanks for today and what they do for us every day, every year.'

Asked if there was any Iranian involvement, Mr Streeting said: 'I'm not going to comment on the underlying motivations of of those who've been arrested today, or indeed the sort of the genesis of their activity, I think it's far too early to comment or speculate, and it would be irresponsible for me to do so.'

He added the UK 'had been working closely with our American friends' and he had spoken to US counterpart Pete Hegseth today.

The heroic local farmer is understood to have raised the alarm by dialling 999 at 12.45am to report men 'acting suspiciously' around three white vans. Viable incendiary devices and chemicals were found inside one of the vehicles, police said. 

Around 85 homes were evacuated from the nearby Cotswolds countryside as armed police and the SAS swooped in while the Army's specialist explosive ordnance disposal team searched for more bombs. 

A bomb disposal robot deployed by the Army's specialist explosive ordnance disposal team was later seen probing the group's three vans, two of which had their rear doors open as black barrels could be seen nearby 

A shot from the BBC's live feed showed the proximity of the vans (circled) to the air base

The aerial shot appeared to show US bombers at RAF Fairford distanced from each other on the tarmac. B-1B Lancer bombers, which are understood to have been used for strikes on Iran, cost around $300million (£226million) to produce

Armed police around the village of Whelford, near RAF Fairford this morning

Armed police at RAF Fairford this morning. Officers blocked entrances to the air base, which is operated by the US Air Force

Assistant Chief Constable Richard Ocone said Gloucestershire Constabulary had arrested five men on suspicion of preparation of a terrorist act and offences under the Explosives Act

Maggie Blyth, Temporary Chief Constable for Gloucestershire Police, said: 'These arrests will no doubt have caused some shock and anxiety and we want those living locally to RAF Fairford and across Gloucestershire to be sure and to know that, as agencies, we are working closely together to support them.

'You will appreciate this is a fast-moving situation and all agencies across Gloucestershire are actively working to respond to our communities’ needs and continue to provide information to our communities on a regular basis, we will also continue to assist counter-terrorism policing with their investigation and liaise with other national partners.'

A bomb disposal robot from the Army's specialist explosive ordnance disposal team was seen on Sunday moving between the three parked vans. Two vans' rear doors were open and what appeared to be large black barrels could be seen outside.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the Government will 'always take every step necessary' to protect the country following the major incident. 

He wrote on X: 'I know today's incident near RAF Fairford will be deeply concerning for local residents and for many people following developments across the country.

'My thanks go to Gloucestershire Police, Counter Terrorism Policing, our Armed Forces and all those working to keep the public safe. 

'I am especially grateful to those residents who have been asked to leave their homes while precautionary checks are carried out. The safety and security of the public is our first priority, and I want people to know that we will always take every step necessary to protect our communities and keep our country safe. 

'The investigation remains ongoing, and I would urge people not to speculate while the authorities establish the full facts.' 

The incident will raise fresh questions over the thorny decisions to be made on defence by Mr Burnham and his Chancellor John Healey at the Budget next month.

Mr Burnham's predecessor Keir Starmer initially refused to permit US bombers to use British bases after the outbreak of the Iran war in February, drawing the ire of Mr Trump, who said the former Labour leader was 'no Winston Churchill'.

Officers evacuated 85 nearby homes, with residents taken to a nearby leisure centre

Sir Keir soon relented and gave the US permission in March for the 'specific and limited defensive purpose' of destroying Iranian missiles 'at source'.

RAF Fairford has been put on Delta alert, the highest threat level used by Washington's Department of Defense.

Meanwhile security has been tightened at other US bases in the UK, with reports that RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk has been placed on Charlie alert, the second-highest threat level.

A spokesman for the 48th Fighter Wing told the Daily Mail: 'We constantly assess a variety of factors that determine what measures are implemented or modified. 

'Please be assured that the Tri-Base area (RAF Lakenheath, RAF Mildenhall, and RAF Feltwell) remains vigilant and will take appropriate action to ensure the safety and security of US service members, US and UK civilians, contractors, and their families.'

The resident who pictured the group's arrest told this newspaper: 'I was asleep and was woken up by shouting coming from outside.

'I couldn't tell what was being shouted but as I got nearer the window, I could see the road was being lit up by blue flashing lights from police vehicles. On one side of the road, officers had five men lined up. They all had their shirts removed.

'They were instructed to sit down. They were patted down by the officers and then had their shoes and socks removed.

'I think they must have been there for about half an hour. The suspects were then told to get up and were walked round the corner.

'I lost sight of them after that but I presumed they were put in police vans and led away. This all happened just outside the perimeter of RAF Fairford.

'The police are investigating three work vans parked a few hundred yards from my house. We've not been told much, we were just asked to evacuate our homes early this morning.'

Police were alerted to the incident in the early hours by a hero resident who reported men 'acting suspiciously' to police.

Julian Tudsbery, who has lived in Whelford for 30 years, said a local had reported three 'suspicious vans' in the village. 

'Evidently, they phoned the airbase police, who didn't answer the phone,' he said. 'It just rang out so she dialled 999.'

A B-1B Lancer bomber pictured at the air base, which has been used to mount US strikes against Iran since the US-led war began

Security has been tightened at other US-operated air bases in Britain, including at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk, where armoured vehicles and armed police could be seen this afternoon

Emergency services vehicles including fire engines descended on Whelford as the major incident was investigated

Road blocks and armed police have been in place near the base in recent days and emergency vehicles are parked nearby.

A witness said armed police had blocked access to the base's main gate and around 30 police cars, ambulances and fire engines were in the village of Fairford.

Earlier a vehicle, apparently a tractor, was pictured blocking a gate at the base.

Outside the leisure centre to which residents were evacuated earlier, one of their number said he heard a helicopter over Whelford at 1.30am.

Jason, who did not want to give his surname, said there were messages on a village group chat about vans blocking a lane nearby.

The 50-year-old said he went to bed before being woken at 6am by police at his door and evacuated.

Having lived in the village for three years, he said he found it 'pretty safe' but added some other residents had noticed increased police patrols recently. 

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood confirmed the incident was 'contained' on X.  

She wrote: 'I would like to thank emergency services for their swift response to the major incident in Gloucestershire this morning and their reassurance that they believe the incident is contained. 

'Whilst investigations are ongoing it would be inappropriate to comment further.'

Counter-terror police are leading the investigation amid suspicion an active terror plot may have been foiled

A vehicle which appeared to be a tractor blocked a gate at RAF Fairford this morning

In June, the US government said it would spend around $500million (£377million) on 'expansion and military infrastructure' at the base, understood to include a new hangar complex.

A month earlier the Royal International Air Tattoo, set to be held at the base in July, was cancelled after the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust Enterprises (RAFCTE) said the 'escalating geopolitical situation in the Middle East' had required a 'significant increase in real-world operational missions' from RAF Fairford.

RAFCTE said both the Royal and US air forces needed to 'maintain unrestricted, 24/7 operational readiness at the base'.

Shortly after the US and Israel began the war with Iran on February 28, roads surrounding RAF Fairford were closed in a bid to 'address safety and access issues'.

Protective screens were mounted on the base's perimeter fences in March to stop filming after it became popular with plane spotters when US bombers began arriving.

That month US military personnel at the base were pictured preparing explosives at the base as Washington intensified strikes on Iran.