UK police find petrol, not explosives, at airbase scare

• Police found a quantity of petrol, not explosives, in vehicles seized near RAF Fairford.
• Five men arrested on suspicion of explosives and terror offenses have been released on bail.
• RAF Fairford is a UK airbase used by the US military for operations, including into Iran.
• US Secretary of State Marco Rubio alleged a 'foreign actor' was involved.
• Iran's embassy in London has categorically rejected speculation about its involvement.

A security scare at RAF Fairford, a UK airbase used by the US military, was mired in confusion Tuesday after police confirmed that a quantity of petrol, not explosives, was found in vehicles seized near the base. The incident, which began on Sunday, led to the evacuation of a nearby village and the declaration of a major incident.

National Counter Terrorism Policing head Laurence Taylor stated that while no improvised explosive devices were recovered, petrol was found in the vehicles. He also confirmed that the five men arrested early Sunday on suspicion of explosives and terror offenses had been released on police bail, remaining under investigation with strict conditions. Taylor described the release as an "investigative decision" grounded in experience and careful consideration of policing powers.

US President Donald Trump expressed surprise at the decision, stating, "I wouldn’t have done that." His Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, alleged that a "foreign actor" was involved. Iran's embassy in London has categorically rejected speculation about its involvement.

The development has lent credibility to theories that the men might be fuel thieves, particularly amid rising energy prices in the UK. The scare, however, forced the evacuation of 85 homes in the nearby village of Whelford, with many residents displaced for at least one night. Police have searched homes in London and anticipate standing down investigative operations on Wednesday.

RAF Fairford has been used by the US military for specific defensive operations into Iran. Aerial footage of the vans showed they appeared to contain barrels, and at least one was marked with a fake logo and phone number, mimicking a legitimate diesel delivery firm. The actual firm, Fuel2U, confirmed neither the vehicle nor the individuals had any connection to them and stated they were cooperating with the police.