British police are investigating whether individuals linked to a foreign state were involved in an apparent plot targeting RAF Fairford, a British airbase used by the United States, while five suspects arrested in connection with the case are being released on bail.
The five men, all British nationals from London in their early 20s, were detained early on Sunday after a local farmer alerted police to three white vans travelling towards the Gloucestershire airbase.
RAF Fairford hosts U.S. bombers that have been used in missions against Iran. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said in July that the base was a legitimate target.
Laurence Taylor, the head of Britain’s counter-terrorism police, said the men had been arrested on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act and preparing a terrorist act.
Although they are being released under stringent bail conditions, Taylor stressed that the investigation remains active.
He said police were pursuing several lines of enquiry, including whether the incident involved proxies or individuals acting knowingly or unknowingly on behalf of a foreign state.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday that the incident “might be” connected to Iran and criticised the decision to release the suspects on bail.
Marco Rubio, the U.S. Secretary of State, also said a foreign actor was involved, though he did not provide evidence or identify a country.
A source familiar with the investigation told Reuters that an Iranian-linked motive was considered the most likely possibility, although investigators were also examining whether the case could involve Russian sabotage or an Islamist plot.
Iran’s embassy in London rejected suggestions that Tehran was involved, describing the claims as unfounded and saying they risked fuelling anti-Iran sentiment in Britain.
Taylor did not name Iran but acknowledged the significance of the wider geopolitical context and said investigators were examining the case from every possible angle.
Police carried out extensive examinations of the three white vans with support from military and forensic specialists.
A significant police presence remained around RAF Fairford, while a 400-metre cordon was imposed and residents from 85 homes in the nearby village of Whelford were evacuated.
British authorities later said the area had been made safe with the assistance of an army explosive ordnance disposal team and that residents would be allowed to return home.
A local farmer who alerted police said she had seen hooded and masked men running into nearby fields and believed her emergency call had helped prevent a possible attack.
The source familiar with the case said the arrests were not intelligence-led, although security at RAF Fairford had already been heightened.
The U.S. embassy issued a security alert following the arrests, advising American citizens in Britain to remain cautious and be mindful of their personal security.
Security was also increased at other U.S. military bases in the country.
Britain had authorised the United States to use bombers stationed at RAF Fairford in strikes against Iranian missile sites targeting ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
The investigation comes as Britain remains at its second-highest terrorism threat level, meaning an attack is considered highly likely.
British authorities have also been examining suspected Iranian links to a number of recent incidents targeting properties associated with the Jewish community and Iranian dissidents.
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