Men arrested in major incident at UK air base used by US

British police have made several arrests in connection with a "major incident" near RAF Fairford, an air base used by the US, in southwest England. The arrests come after police said they were investigating a number of vehicles for possible explosives offences. Nearby residents were evacuated from their homes as armed police blocked access to the base and positioned equipment in front of access points.

The British government had granted the US permission to use RAF Fairford for strikes against Iranian missile sites that had attacked ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran's Revolutionary Guards had warned that any base used in such strikes would be a legitimate target. The Army's specialist explosive ordnance disposal team is currently examining the vehicles involved.

Gloucestershire police stated that a number of properties were being evacuated in the nearby village of Whelford following the declaration of a major incident. The US Air Force spokesperson said that they were vigilant and would take appropriate actions to ensure the safety and security of their personnel. Britain has also briefed providers of critical infrastructure on the threat posed by Russia, with concerns over possible sabotage operations and cyberattacks.