Five people have been arrested in the United Kingdom on suspicion of terrorism-related and explosives offences near RAF Fairford, APA reports, citing NBC News.
A major incident was declared near the airbase in western England after police received reports on Sunday morning of three suspicious vehicles heading towards the facility.
Gloucestershire Police said five people were initially arrested on suspicion of offences under the Explosive Substances Act. They were subsequently detained on suspicion of preparing an act of terrorism.
Assistant Chief Constable Richard O’Connor said residents of 85 homes had been evacuated while an army explosive ordnance disposal team examined the vehicles. A 440-yard (around 402-metre) security cordon was established around the area.
Footage broadcast by Sky News showed a bomb disposal robot inspecting several white vans near the airbase.
RAF Fairford has been used to support US Air Force operations against Iran.
The UK government said Prime Minister Andy Burnham had been briefed on the incident.
Police said the situation was under control, while the investigation remained ongoing.
In July, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned that any base used in strikes against Iranian territory could be regarded as a “legitimate target".
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