Trump Says Fairford Terror Suspects Were Under Surveillance, Hints at Possible Iran Link

US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that the five men arrested near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act had been under surveillance for some time, telling reporters “we got them”.

Speaking to reporters, Trump said the men were “looking to do big damage” and praised the joint operation with British authorities, according to the New York Post.

The five men were arrested by armed officers in the Whelford area at about 12:45am on Sunday after three suspicious vans were reported travelling toward the airbase. They were initially held on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act and later further arrested on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act. Around 85 households were evacuated while army bomb-disposal teams examined the vehicles inside a 400-metre cordon, according to the Associated Press.

London’s Metropolitan Police, which leads counter-terrorism policing, said it was in the early stages of the investigation and gave no details about the suspects’ nationality.

According to the New York Post, citing The Telegraph, investigators were eyeing Iran as a possible source of the alleged plot, though police have not confirmed any link. RAF Fairford is operated by the United States and has been used for strikes during the war with Iran.

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham urged the public not to speculate on the arrests.

Sources

• Associated Press — “5 arrested near a U.K. air base used by U.S. on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act”
• New York Post — “Trump says terror suspects in possible Iran-linked plot to attack UK base were being watched”