Key facts
- Five British men, all in their 20s and from London, were arrested near RAF Fairford.
- The arrests were made on suspicion of explosives offenses and preparing an act of terrorism.
- No explosive materials were found in the three vans the men were using.
- The men have been released on police bail with stringent conditions.
- Counter-terrorism police are investigating a potential Iranian link and the possibility of proxies being involved.
- RAF Fairford has been used by US forces for missions against Iran.
Counter-terrorism police have released five British men on bail who were arrested near RAF Fairford on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act. The men, all in their 20s and from London, were detained early Sunday morning after a member of the public reported suspicious activity involving three vans near the Gloucestershire airbase, which hosts US Air Force missions.
While initial assessments suggested the vans might contain explosive materials, police confirmed that no explosives were found. The release on bail indicates that detectives do not believe the individuals were on the verge of carrying out a large-scale attack. However, the investigation remains active, with a key line of inquiry focusing on a potential Iranian link and whether the men were acting as proxies, knowingly or unknowingly, for a foreign state.
US President Donald Trump expressed surprise at the bail decision, stating he would not have released them. Prime Minister Andy Burnham convened a meeting of the government's crisis committee, Cobra, to discuss the events and Iran's potential involvement. The airbase had been on a high state of alert for several days prior to the arrests due to a general threat.
Counter-terrorism police acknowledged the geopolitical context, noting that threats can sometimes manifest as criminal activity for financial gain. They urged the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious behavior. The incident occurred amid ongoing tensions between the US and Iran, with Iran having previously warned that bases used for aggression against its territory could be considered legitimate targets.