US President Donald Trump expressed surprise Monday that British authorities released five men on bail after their arrest near a US air base in England. The men were arrested on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act. Iran has denied any connection to the suspects.
The incident highlights ongoing security concerns at military installations used by the US abroad and potential geopolitical tensions involving Iran. The US President's public reaction underscores the sensitivity of such security matters and international cooperation in counter-terrorism efforts.
US President Donald Trump said Monday that British police should not have released on bail five men arrested near an airbase used by the United States for suspected attacks. Trump told reporters he was surprised by the decision, stating, "I'm surprised that they released them, I wouldn't have done that." He added that British authorities had worked "very closely" with the United States and that "We know everything about them. We would not have released them."
The five men, described as British nationals from London in their 20s, were arrested early Sunday near the Royal Air Force (RAF) Fairford base in southwest England. This base has been used by US bombers to target Iran since March.
Laurence Taylor, head of Counter Terrorism Policing, confirmed that investigations are ongoing and include the possibility that the act may have been committed by proxies or individuals working on behalf of a foreign state. However, the Iranian Embassy in the U.K. has vehemently denied any connection to the five men, calling the speculations "unfounded and malicious."
The arrests were reportedly triggered by a local resident who called police after encountering three vans blocking a road near the base. The resident described seeing "hooded and masked men" who then scrambled into nearby woods.
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