U.K. police reported the arrest of several individuals under the ‘Explosives Act’ near a U.S. airbase in southwest England on Sunday. The arrests occurred close to RAF Fairford, a base hosting U.S. Air Force operations related to the conflict with Iran.
In a statement, Gloucestershire Police mentioned, ‘A number of properties are currently being evacuated in the Whelford area following the declaration of a major incident.’ They noted that the arrests involved multiple suspects linked to explosives offenses.
RAF Fairford has been pivotal for U.S. military operations, with the base previously utilized for missions against Iranian targets. Armed police established roadblocks near the village of Whelford as part of security measures, and the Army’s specialist explosive ordnance disposal team examined several vehicles.
The situation remains tense, with authorities not disclosing suspect names or arrest counts. British Defense Secretary Wes Streeting confirmed via social media that the matter is under control.
RAF Fairford drew attention after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps labeled it a ‘legitimate target’ following the use of B-1B Lancer bombers from the base to strike Iranian military sites.
The U.K. Defense Ministry stated that the Prime Minister is updated on developments, expressing gratitude for the emergency services’ swift actions. However, they refrained from further comments due to ongoing investigations.
Recent Incidents Raise Concerns
This event follows suspected Iranian-linked cyberattacks on British and U.S. infrastructure. A British power generator faced a shutdown after hacker interference, coinciding with similar attacks on community water systems in Minnesota.
Federal agencies caution that Iranian-affiliated actors target industrial control systems across various sectors, leading to disruptions and financial damage.