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British police are investigating an alleged plot targeting RAF Fairford, an airbase used by the United States. Five suspects detained in connection with the case have been released on strict bail conditions.
All five, London residents aged just over 20, are British citizens. They were detained after a local farmer reported seeing three white vans travelling towards the airbase in Gloucestershire early Sunday morning.
Key lines of the investigation
Lawrence Taylor, head of Britain’s counterterrorism police, said the suspects were being held on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act and preparing an act of terrorism.
Taylor stressed that the investigation was continuing. He said investigators were also examining whether representatives of a foreign state, or people acting knowingly or unknowingly on its behalf, were involved in the incident.
US President Donald Trump said the incident could be linked to Iran and criticised the suspects’ release on bail. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also said a foreign actor was involved, but provided no evidence and did not name a specific country.
Iran denies accusations
According to a source close to the investigation who spoke to Reuters, an Iran-linked motive is considered the most likely possibility. Investigators are also examining the possibility of Russian sabotage and an Islamist plot.
Iran’s embassy in London called claims that Tehran was connected to the incident baseless. The embassy said such statements could reinforce negative attitudes towards Iran in Britain.
Lawrence Taylor did not name Iran, but highlighted the importance of the broader geopolitical situation and said all possible lines of inquiry were being examined.
Access to area restricted
Police, assisted by military and forensic specialists, carried out extensive searches and examinations of the three white vans. Additional police officers were deployed around RAF Fairford, and a 400-metre security cordon was established.
Residents of 85 homes in the nearby village of Welford were evacuated. British authorities later said the area had been made safe with the assistance of the army’s bomb-disposal unit and that residents could return home.
The farmer who alerted police said he had seen hooded and masked individuals running towards nearby fields. A source close to the investigation said the arrests were not based on intelligence, although security measures at RAF Fairford had been increased in advance.
Security increased at US bases
The US embassy in Britain issued a security alert following the arrests and urged American citizens in the country to exercise caution. Security measures were also strengthened at other US military bases in Britain.
Britain had allowed the United States to use bomber aircraft stationed at RAF Fairford in strikes against Iranian missile positions targeting vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps reportedly described the base as a legitimate target in July.
The investigation is taking place as Britain maintains its terrorism threat level at the second-highest rating. This level indicates that a terrorist attack is highly likely in the country.
British authorities are also investigating possible Iranian links to recent incidents involving facilities connected to the Jewish community and dissidents from Iran.
