U.K. police declared a "major incident" on Sunday at a town just outside a British airbase used by the U.S. military for attacks on Iran. Police in the southwestern English county of Gloucestershire said several properties were being evacuated in Whelford, roughly two miles from RAF Fairford, a major military facility. Local residents were directed to a nearby leisure center.
Several men have been arrested on suspicion of committing offenses relating to explosives, police said, but described the incident as "contained." British Army explosive experts are "currently examining a number of vehicles," Gloucestershire officials added. The U.K. authorized the U.S. to use RAF Fairford for "defensive" strikes on Iran in early March. Residents close to RAF Fairford quickly reported their homes shaking as heavy U.S. bombers took off from the base.
The U.S. has used RAF Fairford as a base for multiple types of bombers, including B-1s and B-52s. In June, Tehran said it considered U.K. bases used to target Iran by the U.S. as "legitimate targets," calling London an "accomplice" in the U.S.'s war. A U.K. government spokesperson said at the time the country was "ready 24/7 to defend itself." This is a breaking story and will be updated.
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