Police in Gloucestershire arrest five men on suspicion of explosive and terrorism offences near RAF Fairford after a tip-off about suspicious vehicles and masked individuals. A major incident is declared at the scene, and counter-terrorism officials say the situation is now contained. Investigations are ongoing.
President Donald Trump publicly says the men were under investigation and were “looking to do big damage,” praising US-UK cooperation. A senior BBC security expert, however, rejects Trump’s account as inconsistent with what appears to have happened, saying there is no indication the incident was intelligence-led by both countries working “hand in hand.” The BBC expert points to the farmer’s eyewitness account and raises questions about how the suspects could have been tracked if they were later able to move around.
Later, Trump also criticises the decision to release the five men on police bail, arguing that US law enforcement would not have done so. UK officials say bail does not end the investigation and that police consider multiple lines of inquiry, including possible use of proxies by a hostile state. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggests a “foreign actor” may be involved, while Iran’s embassy denies any link. The UK government declines to speculate on motive.
