Counter Terrorism Policing has confirmed it is leading the investigation into the overnight incident near RAF Fairford, and the five men arrested in the village of Whelford have now been further arrested on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act, contrary to section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2000. The men were first arrested on suspicion of Explosives Act offences and all remain in custody. London's Metropolitan Police announced the escalation after a press conference by Gloucestershire Police.

The arrests followed a call to police at around 12:45 a.m. on Sunday reporting three suspicious vehicles travelling toward the base. Armed officers arrested the five men in Whelford, and a 400-metre cordon remains in place while Army explosive ordnance disposal specialists examine the vehicles, which sat roughly 350 meters from the base perimeter. Around 85 households have been advised to evacuate. One van appears branded FUEL2YOU with a red logo, mimicking the green-branded FUEL2U fuel delivery company, while the other two carry no visible markings.

RAF Fairford is the only place in Europe where the US keeps heavy bombers ready to fly, and it has hosted B-1 and B-52 bombers used in operations against Iran this year. The base is on FPCON Delta, the highest US force protection level, while RAF Lakenheath is on FPCON Charlie. Police have not identified the suspects or disclosed a motive, and no connection has been established to Iran's Revolutionary Guard, which has previously named Fairford a legitimate target.