British police on Monday morning (September 28) remained outside an airbase that has been used by the US to strike Iran, after five men were detained nearby on suspicion of explosives and terrorism offences.

Officers detained the five men in the early hours of Sunday (September 27) after they received a tip-off that three large white vans had been seen heading to the military airfield of RAF Fairford in the west of England.

British counterterrorism detectives have not yet publicly stated who they assessed was involved but a source familiar with the investigation said an Iranian-linked motive was considered the most likely, while a Russian sabotage operation or an Islamist plot were also being looked at as possibilities.

In Fairford, police have imposed a 400-metre cordon around the base and evacuated residents from 85 homes.

A bomb disposal robot could be seen on Sunday operating around the three white vans, while security was stepped up around the base. Armed police stood guard at the main entrance while large machinery was used to block other access points.

Security was also stepped up at other US bases in Britain.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

FAIRFORD, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (SEPTEMBER 28, 2026) (REUTERS – Access all)

1. POLICE OFFICER AND VEHICLE OUTSIDE RAF FAIRFORD, AN AIRBASE THAT HOSTS UNITED STATES AIR FORCE (USAF) PERSONNEL

2. VARIOUS OF PARKED MILITARY AIRCRAFT SEEN THROUGH FENCE

3. SIGN READING (English): 'MINISTRY OF DEFENCE / THIS IS A PROHIBITED PLACE WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE OFFICIAL SECRETS ACT - UNAUTHORISED PERSONS ENTERING THE AREA MAY BE ARRESTED AND PROSECUTED'

4. POLICE VEHICLE DRIVING INSIDE AIRBASE/ POLICE OFFICER AND VEHICLE OUTSIDE AIRBASE

5. POLICE OFFICER

6. VEHICLE DRIVING INSIDE AIRBASE

7. POLICE OFFICER AND VEHICLE OUTSIDE AIRBASE

8. POLICE OFFICER WALKING WITH CONE

9. VIEW OF FAIRFORD AIRBASE