US’ RAF Fairford airbase in the UK under terror threat, five men arrested; what makes this base a prime target for Iran

Police in the UK arrested five men on suspicion of terrorism offences near RAF Fairford, who have since been released on bail. Authorities had declared a major incident and evacuated dozens of homes after the police were alerted to three "suspicious vehicles" near the airbase in Gloucestershire county in the early hours of Sunday (September 27).

The five men are all UK nationals from London. They are aged between 23 and 25 years, the police said. They were detained on suspicion of committing offences under an explosives act and then arrested on suspicion preparing a terrorist act. The UK's Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) said they were exploring several lines of inquiry, including whether individuals working on behalf of a foreign state were involved in the incident.

CTP said that the men remained under investigation and their release was subject to "stringent conditions." CTP head Laurence Taylor said the three vehicles had been subject to a thorough examination. UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham chaired a Cobra meeting on Monday and appealed to people not to speculate while the investigation continues.

Significance of RAF Fairford

The RAF Fairford base has been used by the United States Air Force (USAF) as a forward operating site for several decades. In recent months, US bombers have flown off from the base for the Middle East, after former UK prime minister Keir Starmer approved a US request to use it for strikes on Iran amid the war.

RAF Fairford is located in Gloucestershire, close to Swindon town. It is home to the 501st Combat Support Wing Headquarters and the 420th Air Base Squadron, according to the US Air Force. It essentially serves as an American base in British territory.

Rubio says 'foreign actor' involved

Iran has specifically noted the Fairford base's use by US bombers, with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warning the UK in July that "any base used for aggression against Iranian territory constitutes a legitimate target for our forces."

However, Iran has denied any involvement in the incident, with its embassy in London saying it "strongly condemns the recent unfounded and malicious speculations published by some British individuals and media outlets attempting to link Iran to arrest of five suspects in the vicinity of RAF Fairford base." But US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement that the incident "involved the hands of a foreign actor."