Five men were arrested near a strategically important U.S. bomber base in the United Kingdom over an alleged terrorist plot that officials warn could have implications for American military installations around the world.

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The suspects were detained near RAF Fairford, a British airfield used extensively by the U.S. Air Force and recently involved in American operations against Iran. While authorities have not publicly identified who may have been behind the suspected plot, investigators are reportedly examining whether Iran could be connected.

From Fox News:

On Sunday, Trump said U.S. authorities had been monitoring the suspects prior to their capture.

“We had them under investigation,” Trump told reporters in Chicago. “They were looking to do big damage to our fort.”

“It may have been Scotland Yard. I don’t know. We worked with a lot of them. We had them under view for a long time, and we got them,” Trump added.

The arrests immediately raised concerns because of RAF Fairford’s importance to American military operations. Former Defense Intelligence Agency official Andrew Badger told Fox News that the involvement of five suspects and three reported vans suggested authorities may have disrupted something more sophisticated than an isolated attack. He warned that the incident could lead to heightened security measures at American installations throughout Europe and elsewhere.

Iran is one possible focus of the investigation, although no responsibility has been established. RAF Fairford became especially significant during the war with Iran, when the British government authorized American forces to use Fairford and Diego Garcia for limited defensive operations. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps subsequently warned that bases used to launch attacks against Iranian territory would be considered legitimate targets. A local councilor also told Reuters that security around Fairford had already been increased following a specific Iranian threat roughly six weeks earlier.

Since the initial arrests, British authorities have released all five suspects on bail under stringent conditions while the investigation continues. Police said counterterrorism officers are continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding the alleged plot, including whether a foreign state may have been involved. Iran has denied involvement.

Badger cautioned against assuming Tehran was responsible. He pointed to Russia’s hybrid operations in Europe and the continuing threat from Islamic extremists as other possibilities. Whatever the investigation ultimately reveals, the arrests demonstrate the security challenges facing American troops and military facilities overseas—particularly installations housing strategically important aircraft, weapons, and personnel.

American servicemen and women stationed abroad stand on the front lines of conflicts and threats that most Americans never see. The apparent disruption of a potentially serious attack is a reminder to cover our military personnel, intelligence officials, and law enforcement partners in prayer. Let’s thank God that this suspected plot was discovered before anyone was harmed, and let’s pray for continued protection over U.S. forces, wisdom for investigators as they determine who was responsible, and discernment for President Trump and other leaders as they respond to any threats against Americans.

Share your prayers for the protection of America’s military personnel in the comments.

(Excerpt from Fox News. Photo Credit: David Bown/Getty Images)