Gloucestershire Police said in a statement that the evacuation decision came after a state of emergency was declared in the area, noting that British Army bomb disposal teams were continuing to examine a number of suspicious vehicles.
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the evacuated residents were taken to a gym in the area, a tight security cordon was imposed, and the National Health Service's hazardous areas response team was directed to the site.
the base used by the American forces raised the threat level to "Delta", the highest level ever, while the base's entrances were closed by placing heavy trucks, construction equipment and tractors.
Gloucester Deputy Chief Constable Richard Ocon explained during a press conference that the police received a report about 3 suspicious vehicles heading towards the "Fairford" base, and they were intercepted and 5 people were arrested.
Ocon added that investigations are continuing with the five suspects on charges of "violating the explosives law," noting that a security cordon with a radius of 400 meters has been imposed around the vehicles, and 85 homes have been evacuated and their residents transferred to the designated gym.
Ocon urged citizens not to be swayed by rumors and to rely on official data, while Gloucester's acting police chief, Maggie Blyth, said the three vehicles inspected were pickup trucks.
Blyth confirmed that the security cordon around homes and vehicles will not be lifted at the moment, and that residents will not be able to return to their homes, noting that the counter-terrorism police are continuing their investigations discreetly and regularly.
She added that police would announce later whether the incident involved an attempted terrorist attack.
For his part, Gloucester Deputy Mayor David Stanley announced that temporary accommodation would be provided for citizens unable to return to their homes.
Possible links with Iran
counter-terrorism police are investigating possible links between the suspects and Iran, while sources told the strongest possibility is an Iranian-backed attack.
a woman returning home saw three small vans parked in an isolated spot and noticed suspicious movements of masked people around her, before reporting it to the police.
US fighter jets have been using the "Fairford" base since February 28, coinciding with the start of Israeli and American attacks on Iran.
While Britain insists the base is used for defensive purposes, independent research centers and analysts, including Chatham House, suggest it could also be used for offensive operations.
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