RAF Fairford: Heroic farmer reveals chance 999 call that 'foiled RAF base bomb plot' as police probe links to Iran

Counter-terror police are probing whether Iran is linked to an alleged bomb plot at RAF Fairford - which is thought to have been foiled by a local farmer practically by chance. On Sunday, five men were arrested on suspicion of terrorism and explosives offences after three suspicions vans were found close to the Gloucestershire base used by US forces. Washington has used the base as outpost for launching strikes on the Islamic Republic from Europe. Now, counter-terror police are understood to be probing links to Iran - with Tehran thought to be the most likely "state actor" responsible for the alleged plot. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say In July, Iran's top military chiefs declared that "any base used to invade Iranian territory is our legitimate target " after Andy Burnham agreed to let the US use British bases for "defensive" strikes against the Islamic Republic. If Tehran was behind the plot in any way, it would likely use Iranians rather than using criminal proxies to carry out an attack, sources suggested to the Telegraph. RAF Fairford is now believed to have been raised to its highest threat level, Delta. It is understood the level of security has not been seen at US military bases in Britain since the September 11 attacks. Meanwhile, RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk is on Charlie alert, the second-highest threat level that can be issued by the US Department of War. Five men were arrested on suspicion of terrorism and explosive offences after three suspicions vans were discovered | REUTERS The heroine farmer who contacted the authorities after spotting the five alleged terrorists near the base has now broken her silence about the dramatic 999 call which is said to have foiled the alleged plot. After attending a party late on Sunday evening, she told the Telegraph she noticed "a group of Middle Eastern-looking young guys running off through the trees" as she was driving home. "Some of them had masks or balaclavas on, and they all scattered ahead of us as we drove back past," she noted. The farmer said it was "pretty incredible, realising you had a brush with potential terrorists face to face and may have foiled a terrorist plot". She added: "It was clear they had just got there. Thank God we spotted them.” READ MORE ON RAF FAIRFORD: 'We deserve to be told the truth!' - Nigel Farage demands RAF Fairford suspects' identities released Ex-Met Police detective on 'major' US link to RAF Fairford after five arrested on terror offences WATCH: Gloucestershire Police issue statement after arrests of five men near RAF Fairford Washington has used the base as outpost for launching strikes on Islamic Republic targets from Europe | REUTERS One local told the newspaper: "Thank goodness this woman in the village saw what she saw and had the wit to call the cops out quickly. She may well have saved a lot of lives. “She saw that these guys hanging around the two vans and said they were acting suspiciously and did not appear to be locals.” The farmer reportedly put a message into a local WhatsApp group, alerting Whelford locals to the danger and urging them to keep their doors locked. After a major incident was declared at the base, hundreds nearby homes were forced to evacuate while bomb-disposal experts investigated the vehicles. Senior national coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans, said: “We are in the early stages of an investigation, and five men remain in custody. In July, Iran's top military chiefs declared that 'any base used to invade Iranian territory is our legitimate target' | GETTY After a major incident was declared at the base, hundreds nearby homes were forced to evacuate | REUTERS "As you would expect we are working closely with our partners to understand the circumstances of the incident.” Gloucestershire Constabulary's Temporary Chief Constable, Maggie Blyth, suggested that officers were not looking for any other suspects linked to the alleged plot. She said: “I can give reassurance that we believe the matter to be contained and as a set of agencies working together across Gloucestershire, we are gathering and responding to local intelligence all the time.” Donald Trump has hailed the response by UK authorities , declaring on Sunday that they had done an "amazing" job. Speaking to reporters, the US President claimed the suspects were “looking to do big damage", adding: “We had them under view for a long time.” Prime Minister Andy Burnham said: “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.” Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter