A suspected terror plot near a key RAF base used by US aircraft has prompted Britain’s prime minister to point to “strong indications” of Iranian involvement, as the UK seeks to reassure allies that the investigation remains tightly controlled.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the government is working closely with the United States and insisted the matter is under “the strongest grip”, after President Donald Trump criticised the decision to release the suspects.
Five British nationals — all in their mid-20s — were arrested over the weekend near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire on suspicion of explosives offences and terrorism. They were later bailed under investigation on Monday.
The airbase has featured prominently in recent months, with American bombers operating there after former prime minister Keir Starmer authorised the US to use British bases for “defensive” strikes against Tehran during the Middle East war.
Counter-terrorism officers have said petrol was found in the vans that triggered the security alert, but no explosive devices were discovered.
In a round of broadcast interviews, Mr Burnham said: “There are strong indications that Iran played a part in what happened over the weekend at RAF Fairford, but it remains an ongoing, complex and serious police investigation.”
Pressed on Mr Trump’s reported disappointment at the suspects being released, the prime minister told the BBC: “The authorities have this under, as I say, the strongest grip and the closest control, and I can assure you of that.”
He also told Sky News he “wouldn’t hesitate” to recall parliament if the situation required it.
Mr Burnham chaired an emergency Cobra meeting during the Labour Party conference earlier this week.
On Thursday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a television interview that the suspected plot “clearly involves the hand of a foreign actor”, while declining to go into further detail.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio
Assistant commissioner Laurence Taylor, head of UK counter-terrorism policing, said on Thursday that officers moved in during the early hours of Sunday after receiving “a range of information”.
Mr Taylor said the five suspects who were bailed “remain under investigation” and “must adhere to very strict conditions”.
In villages around RAF Fairford, residents — including dozens who were evacuated from their homes on Sunday morning — began edging back toward normal life on Thursday.
On Sunday, three vans were found near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire
Police cordons close to the base are expected to be fully removed today, with searches of the five suspects’ homes in London now completed.
Mr Taylor said the episode has unsettled many people, and warned anxiety has been “heightened by the international commentary that we are seeing”.
Speculation has continued over whether Iran played any role, including claims it could have tasked proxies to commit offences on its behalf on British soil.
Iran’s potential involvement is understood to be among the lines of inquiry being pursued by UK investigators, and the country has previously used proxies to carry out acts in the UK.
However, Iran’s embassy in London issued a strong denial of any connection to the Gloucestershire events.
In remarks to Fox News, Mr Rubio said: “It’s one that clearly involves the hand of a foreign actor. I won’t get into great detail about that yet.
“I do want to thank the authorities in the United Kingdom who have been very co-operative and on top of it.”
He added: “I know a lot of people are disturbed by the news that some of these people have been released on bail, as some of the people are being investigated, and obviously we’re engaging with them on all of that.
“Beyond that, I would argue that they’ve been very co-operative and very helpful on something that’s a very serious incident.”
Mr Trump said on Monday the alleged plot “might be” connected to Iran, adding: “I will tell you, I would have said ‘don’t let them have bail’. I’m surprised that they released them. I wouldn’t have done that.”
The five suspects — all UK nationals — are a 24-year-old from Camden in north London, along with a 23-year-old, two 24-year-olds and a 25-year-old from Westminster in central London.
Police have not said when the men are expected to answer bail.
