Farmer's 999 Call Foils Alleged Iranian Bomb Plot Near US Air Base in UK

A suspected Iranian plot to attack a Royal Air Force base used by U.S. bombers was thwarted early Sunday morning after a local farmer’s emergency call led to the arrest of five men found with explosives.

Counter-terrorism police responded to a call from a farmer who reported seeing three suspicious vans near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire. The farmer, driving home from a party in the early hours, noticed the vans blocking a quiet road and observed men in balaclavas and hooded tops scattering towards the base. She alerted police at 12:45 a.m.

Responding officers arrested five men, initially on suspicion of explosives offenses, and later on suspicion of preparing an act of terrorism. Authorities evacuated 85 households around the base as the Army's explosive ordnance disposal team examined the three vans. The BBC reported that the vans were packed with barrels of suspicious material. US President Donald Trump commented on the incident, stating that the men were "looking to do big damage to our fort."

Iran's Revolutionary Guard had previously warned in July that any base used in air strikes against the regime was a legitimate target. The Iranian ambassador had stated that allowing American bombers to launch from Fairford was an "important matter for our self-defence."

Whitehall sources, however, dismissed suggestions that British authorities had advance notice of the plot, confirming the arrests were not pre-planned. The farmer's quick thinking is credited with disrupting the potential attack. She noted that the headlights of her car may have startled the group. The vans were found to have markings for a fuel delivery company, but the company denied any relation.

Following the arrests, armed officers stripped the suspects' upper clothing, fearing they might be wearing suicide vests. Residents were escorted to a leisure center for safety. Security around RAF Fairford had reportedly been increased in the week prior to the incident, with heavy machinery visible near the base.

Officials are exploring all possibilities, including the involvement of other hostile states or extremist groups. The incident has also drawn criticism of the Foreign Secretary for previously meeting with Iran's foreign minister.

Vicki Evans, senior national coordinator at Counter Terrorism Policing, stated that the investigation is in its early stages and that authorities are working with partners to understand the full circumstances. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood and Prime Minister Andy Burnham both commended the emergency services for their swift response and assured the public that safety and security are top priorities.