Five British nationals arrested near RAF Fairford on suspicion of explosives offenses and preparing a terrorist act have been released on police bail — but remain under active counterterrorism investigation.
The five suspects, aged 23 to 25 and all London residents, were arrested early Sunday after police received reports of three suspicious white vans traveling toward RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire. Three of the men live in Westminster, one in Camden and one in Willesden.
2+RAF Fairford hosts U.S. Air Force operations and has been used by American bombers in operations against Iran. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards had previously warned that bases used to launch attacks against Iranian territory would be considered legitimate targets.
The incident triggered a massive security response: roughly 85 households were evacuated, a 400-meter cordon was established and an Army bomb-disposal team deployed a robot to examine the three vans. Armed security around the base was also reinforced.
2+British counterterrorism chief Laurence Taylor stressed that the suspects’ release “does not mean the investigation is over,” saying they remain subject to stringent restrictions on their movements and contacts. Investigators are examining whether the incident involved proxies or individuals acting — knowingly or unknowingly — on behalf of a foreign state.
An Iran-linked motive is among the lines of inquiry, although authorities were also examining possible Russian sabotage or an Islamist motive. British police themselves have not publicly determined who, if anyone, directed the suspects.
2+President Donald Trump said Sunday that the suspects were seeking to do “big damage” and claimed U.S. and British authorities had had them under observation. Reuters, however, reported that a source familiar with the investigation said the arrests were not intelligence-led; a local resident reported seeing hooded and masked men near the base and called emergency services.
Iran’s Embassy in London categorically denied any involvement, condemning reports linking Tehran to the incident as “unfounded and malicious” speculation and accusing British media of fueling “Iranophobia propaganda.” The investigation remains ongoing.