British police have released on bail five men arrested near RAF Fairford on suspicion of terrorism and explosives offences, as investigators examine whether the incident could have involved individuals acting on behalf of a foreign state.
The five men remain under investigation after being arrested early Sunday near the military airfield in western England, which has been used by the United States for operations connected to the conflict with Iran.
Police responded after receiving information that three large white vans were travelling toward the airbase. Authorities said the five suspects are British nationals from different London boroughs and are between the ages of 23 and 25.
Laurence Taylor, head of the U.K.’s Counter Terrorism Policing, said investigators were considering several possibilities, including whether the alleged activity involved people knowingly or unknowingly working on behalf of a foreign government. Authorities have not publicly identified any foreign state as responsible.
The Iranian Embassy in London rejected speculation connecting Tehran to the incident, describing the suggestions as unfounded. Iran has repeatedly denied involvement in alleged attacks or plots in Britain and other countries.
Security tightened around RAF Fairford
Police established a 400-metre security cordon around RAF Fairford following the arrests, while residents of 85 nearby homes were evacuated.
A bomb-disposal robot was deployed around the three vans on Sunday, while armed officers guarded the airbase and heavy equipment was positioned to restrict access.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said Monday that the scene had been made safe and residents evacuated from the nearby village of Whelford would soon be permitted to return.
Security was also increased at other U.S. military facilities in Britain. The U.S. Embassy issued a security alert advising American citizens to exercise caution and warning that U.S.-associated facilities, organizations and gatherings could face heightened risks.
A local farmer told BBC Radio that she contacted emergency services after seeing a group of hooded and masked men running into nearby fields. She said she believed her call may have disrupted whatever the group intended to do.
Defence Minister Wes Streeting cautioned against drawing conclusions from the account, saying the witness had only a partial view of events and that authorities would not speculate about motives while the investigation remained active.
U.S. President Donald Trump said the suspects had intended to cause significant damage and suggested they had been under investigation by British and American authorities. However, the extent of any surveillance of the suspects has not been publicly established.
Investigation comes amid heightened tensions
The arrests come against the backdrop of heightened tensions involving Britain, the United States and Iran.
The British government had authorized the United States to use bombers stationed at RAF Fairford for strikes against Iranian missile sites involved in attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards subsequently warned Britain against allowing U.S. bombers to operate from Fairford, saying bases used to launch attacks against Iran could be considered legitimate targets.
Britain raised its national terrorism threat level from “substantial” to “severe” in April, meaning authorities consider an attack highly likely. The government also imposed sanctions in May against 12 individuals and entities it said were connected to Iran and involved in hostile activities.
Streeting said British authorities were aware of threats from Iran and groups aligned with Tehran. Iran, however, has consistently denied accusations that it has been involved in attacks or plots in the United Kingdom.
The five men have not been charged, and police said the investigation remains ongoing.
