Trump: Terror Suspects in UK Plot Were Under Surveillance
President suggests close watch on individuals accused of planning attack near US-used military base.
President Donald Trump indicated that the individuals arrested in the United Kingdom on suspicion of plotting a terrorist attack had been under surveillance.
"We had them under investigation. They were looking to do big damage to our fort, and working with the British worked out great," Trump told reporters on Sunday. "We had them under view for a long time and we got them."
British authorities apprehended five suspects on Sunday, accused of planning an attack near Royal Air Force Fairford, a base in the UK that has been used by the U.S. military, including for limited strikes during the war against Iran. Sources suggested Iran was the most likely instigator of the plot, given previous threats against the base.
Locals alerted authorities to three suspicious vans near the site, which are now believed to have contained chemicals. The arrests occurred approximately two miles from RAF Fairford, with the suspects reportedly en route to the base.
In response to the incident, Gloucestershire Police evacuated about 85 homes. UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham urged the public to refrain from speculation while the investigation proceeds. "The safety and security of the public is our first priority, and I want people to know that we will always take every step necessary to protect our communities and keep our country safe," Burnham stated on X. "The investigation remains ongoing, and I would urge people not to speculate while the authorities establish the full facts."