UK police release five men on bail after airbase security incident

British police have released on bail five men arrested near a Royal Air Force base used by the United States, as Washington claimed that a foreign actor may have been involved in the suspected plot.

The five men, all London-based Britons in their mid-20s, were arrested after reports of three suspicious white vans near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, southwest England, on Sunday.

Counter Terrorism Policing said Monday that the men were released on bail under “stringent” conditions, stressing that the investigation remains ongoing.

“This does not mean the investigation is over,” Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, head of Counter Terrorism Policing, said, adding that authorities were examining “every possible angle,” including the possibility that the activity was carried out by proxies or individuals working knowingly or unknowingly on behalf of a foreign state.

The men were arrested on suspicion of explosives offenses and preparing to commit a terrorist act under UK counter-terrorism legislation. Their vehicles have undergone extensive examination with the assistance of military personnel and forensic experts.

Authorities have not disclosed the exact nature of the suspected threat. Bomb-disposal experts were seen at the scene, while British media reported that initial tests on materials found inside the vans indicated they were not viable explosives.

The incident prompted the evacuation of around 85 households in the nearby village of Whelford. Residents were allowed to return home the following day.

US President Donald Trump said he was surprised by the decision to release the suspects on bail, saying, “I wouldn’t have done that.” He also claimed the case might be linked to Iran but did not provide further details.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the incident “clearly involves the hands of a foreign actor,” without identifying the alleged actor.

Iran suggests any link to incident

The Iranian Embassy in London has rejected speculations that Iran was connected to any movement around the base.

In a Monday statement, the embassy “categorically rejects and strongly condemns the recent unfounded and malicious speculations published by some British individuals and media outlets attempting to link Iran to the arrest of five suspects in the vicinity of RAF Fairford base,” the statement read.

The embassy noted that some British individuals and media outlets are spreading “fabricated speculations” and said such claims could fuel “Iranophobia propaganda” in the UK.

It added that Iran reserved the right to take legal measures to protect the rights and interests of the country and its people in response to “misleading and damaging media narratives.”

Police have not publicly established any link between the suspects and Iran.

The US forces have used the base to support their aggression against Iran in the past seven months.

The UK government has also convened an emergency meeting of senior officials to review the case. British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the meeting was intended to ensure officials had “the full picture.”

Five UK nationals arrested over alleged plan to bomb US-run base

Police say five men arrested over suspected bomb plot are all British nationals.

RAF Fairford’s role in US military aggression

RAF Fairford has been used by the United States for military aggression in the region. Britain authorized Washington in March to use the base for specific attacks against Iranian missiles.

US bombers and other military aircraft have subsequently been seen operating from the base, which is the only facility on mainland Britain used by the United States for this purpose.

The incident comes amid heightened security around the facility, with residents in the surrounding Cotswolds area reporting increased military activity in recent months.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has slammed the UK for “putting British lives in danger” by allowing its bases to be used “for aggression against Iran.”

Tehran had previously warned London against allowing British bases to be used for US military aggression against Iran.

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