British Police Arrest Five Men on Terrorism Suspicions Near U.S. Air Base

<p>British police arrested five men on suspicion of terrorism and explosives offenses near RAF Fairford, an air base used by the U.S. Air Force for operations in Iran.</p><p>Officials declared a major incident and set up roadblocks overnight in Gloucestershire, southwestern England.</p><p>Police received a call around 12:45 a.m. local time on Sunday regarding three suspicious vehicles that appeared to be traveling towards the air base, which is associated with the U.S. 501st Combat Support Wing and the 420th Air Base Squadron, according to a statement from the Metropolitan Police.</p><p>Armed officers responded in the area of Whelford, a village approximately 33 miles from Oxford. The men were arrested on suspicion of committing offenses under the Explosives Act and preparation of a terrorist act, contrary to section 5 of the Terrorism Act.</p><p>U.K. counter-terrorism official Vicki Evans stated that officers established a 400-meter cordon (about a quarter-mile) around the vehicles while the British Army's Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit conducted examinations. Approximately 85 households were evacuated as a precaution during these examinations, and a nearby leisure center was opened for those evacuated.</p><p>RAF Fairford serves as the U.S. Air Force's preferred bomber forward operating location in Europe and supports various missions and exercises throughout the year.</p><p>In July, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned that any base used for attacks on Iranian territory would be considered a "legitimate target," specifically referencing U.S. B-1 bombers operating from RAF Fairford.</p><p>This is a developing news story.</p>