UK police question five men held at airbase used by US to attack Iran

British police are questioning five men on suspicion of explosives and terrorism offenses near RAF Fairford, an airbase used by the US for attacks on Iran. The incident occurred after authorities received a tip-off about three large white vans heading towards the military airfield in southwest England on Sunday morning.

Officers detained the suspects in the early hours of Sunday, with authorities stating that the trio had been under investigation by both British and US agencies for potentially carrying out "big damage." While the motive behind the incident remains unclear, a source familiar with the investigation believes an Iranian-linked threat is the most likely scenario, though other possibilities, such as a Russian sabotage operation or an Islamist plot, are also being explored.

Defence Minister Wes Streeting cautioned against speculating about the suspects' motives, emphasizing that Iran and its proxies pose a continuous threat to the UK and its allies, frequently attempting to undermine both their interests and those of allied nations. In May, the UK had sanctioned 12 individuals and entities linked to Iran, accusing them of involvement in hostile activities.

The British government authorized US bombers based at Fairford to strike Iranian missile sites that were targeting ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Prime Minister Andy Burnham has been regularly briefed on the incident and had to cancel attending two events at the Labour Party's annual conference due to the ongoing investigation.

To prevent any potential attacks, a 400-meter cordon has been imposed around RAF Fairford, and residents from 85 homes have been evacuated. Bomb disposal robots and heightened security measures are being used to ensure the safety of the area, with armed police stationed at the main entrance and additional barriers blocking access points. Similar security measures have been implemented at other US bases in the UK.