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WASHINGTON — President Trump suggested that several of the men who were nabbed and stripped down by British cops on terrorism charges had been under surveillance for some time.
On Sunday, British authorities apprehended five suspects accused of scheming a terrorist attack near a military base in the United Kingdom used by the US in the past, including for very limited strikes during the war against Iran.
Iran was being eyed as the most likely source of the terror plot after previously threatening the base, sources told The Telegraph. Locals called authorities about three suspicious vans near the scene, now believed to have been laden with chemicals.
“Working with Britain, it was an amazing job,” Trump told reporters on Sunday.
“We had them under investigation. They were looking to do big damage to our fort, and working with the British worked out great.”
“We had them under view for a long time and we got them.”
Authorities evacuated some 85 homes in Whelford while responding the incident, and apprehended the men about two miles from Royal Air Force Fairford, according to Gloucestershire Police. The suspects were believed to be heading towards the base.
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham urged the public not to speculate on the arrests.
“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 posted on X.
“The investigation remains ongoing, and I would urge people not to speculate while the authorities establish the full facts.”
So far, British officials have not released details about the nationality of the suspects or their names. In addition to terrorism, they are expected to face charges under the UK’s Explosives Act.
The base, which is located about 90 miles outside of London, is home to the headquarters of the US Air Force’s 501st Combat Support Wing and the 420th Air Base Squadron. America has operated that facility there for decades, dating back to a Cold War-era agreement.
In July, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard warned the UK against allowing American bombers to use that base to carry out strikes on the Islamic Republic.
Dozens of law enforcement vehicles and a helicopter arrived on the scene, with MI5 reportedly assisting in the response.
“For operational security reasons we will not discuss specific force protection measures,” a spokesperson for the US Air Force said in a statement. “We constantly assess a variety of factors that determine what measures we institute or modify to protect our installations, our people and their families.”
UK Secretary of State for Defense Wes Streeting revealed that he has been in contact with his US counterpart, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth over the ordeal.
“I don’t think it will come as a surprise to anyone that given the importance of Fairford — not just to the UK but to the US — we’ve been working closely with our American friends, and I’ve been in touch during the course of today with my counterpart, Pete Hegseth,” he said.
Last week Trump floated the possibility that he may have to move to annihilate Iran if diplomacy fails. The president is said to be considering a return to military force against Iran after midterm elections, the Wall Street Journal reported.
At the moment, he is leaning on a blockade and the Operation Economic Outcast pressure campaign against the theocratic regime.
