IRGC warned London of consequences for allowing bombing raids
Police received a call at around 12:45 a.m. Sunday morning about three suspicious vehicles that appeared to be traveling toward RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, about 100 miles west of London, the Metropolitan Police said. The Metropolitan Police is the primary law-enforcement agency for the British capital. The five men were in the area of a village less than a mile from the air base when they were taken into custody.
Police initially arrested the men on suspicion of committing offenses under the Explosives Act, which regulates who can carry explosives, and later said the men had also been arrested on suspicion of preparing an act of terrorism. The men have not been named, and authorities have not released details about a possible motive.
RAF Fairford is home to the headquarters of the 501st Combat Support Wing, part of the U.S. Air Force. An Air Force spokesperson said the 501st and other UK-based wings would remain vigilant and “will take appropriate actions to ensure the safety and security of our U.S. service members, civilians, contractors, and their families.”
A U.S. official said the threat level had been raised on Saturday evening at Fairford, an important launchpad for missions targeting Iran. Heavy B-1 bombers have been photographed loading munitions and fuel at Fairford.
Earlier this summer, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps issued a warning to the UK that London would suffer consequences for allowing bombing raids to be launched from British soil. UK officials said they are investigating a range of possibilities, including a state-sponsored attack, but said it was too early to say where the probe would lead.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham urged the public “not to speculate while the authorities establish the full facts.” Asked about the arrests on a trip to Chicago on Sunday, President Trump said: “Working with Britain, it was an amazing job. We had them under investigation.”
Police said an explosive ordnance disposal unit was examining the three suspicious vehicles. About 85 homes were evacuated as a precaution. Televised images showed bomb-disposal robots approaching three white vans with rear back doors opened and items scattered on the ground.