Trump says men arrested at UK air base used by US were looking to do ‘big damage’

British police arrested five men on suspicion of explosives and terrorism offenses on Sept.

Arrest and charges

27 near an air base that has been used by the United States to strike Iran, after a tip-off that three vans had been seen heading to the military airfield.

Five men were arrested by armed officers and later held on suspicion of preparation of a terrorist act.

Police, who said they believed the incident was now contained, have not yet publicly stated who they assessed was involved.

Charges and court proceedings

President Donald Trump said the suspects had been looking to do "big damage" and had been under investigation by British and U.S. authorities.

British counterterrorism detectives leading the investigation said police had received a call about three suspicious vehicles that appeared to be travelling toward RAF Fairford in the west of England early in the morning.

An Iranian-linked motive is considered the most likely, Reuters reported, while a Russian sabotage operation or an Islamist plot were also being looked at.

"We are in the early stages of an investigation, and five men remain in custody," Counter Terrorism Policing Senior National Coordinator Vicki Evans said in a statement.