Counter-terrorism police are investigating whether Iran was behind a suspected bomb plot at RAF Fairford after five men were arrested near the Gloucestershire base. The men have since been released on bail without immediate charge.
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Key facts
- Five men were arrested near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire early on Sunday over explosives found in three vans.
- The men, UK nationals from London, were re-arrested on suspicion of the preparation of a terrorist act and later released on bail.
- About 85 properties in the village of Whelford were evacuated on Sunday morning.
- Iran has rejected any link to the arrests, according to the Guardian.
- RAF Fairford is used by the US military for missions in the Middle East, including against Iran.
Counter-terrorism police in the UK are investigating whether Iran was behind a suspected bomb plot at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, a base used by the US military to carry out missions in the Middle East, according to the Guardian. Five men were detained near the base in the early hours of Sunday, initially over explosives offences and then further arrested later that day on suspicion of the preparation of a terrorist act.
Armed officers found explosives in three vans parked minutes from the base. Police said the five men held are UK nationals from London, and that the investigation had led to multiple new lines of enquiry. Pictures of the men with their shirts off could point to a precautionary measure against the risk of suicide vests or concealed weapons, the Guardian reported.
By Monday, all five men had been released on bail without immediate charge. The Guardian noted this suggests they are not deemed to pose a serious and violent threat, describing the bailing as a lower-key development in an investigation that had appeared of the utmost gravity. The question of whether Iran had a hand in the alleged plot remains open, and Tehran has rejected any link to the arrests.
About 85 properties in the village of Whelford, Gloucestershire, were evacuated on Sunday morning after the arrests. A local MP and councillors representing residents have expressed scepticism and concern over the security response, demanding answers over how the suspects were allowed to enter residential areas of the nearby village amid conflicting official statements.
A farmer who says she alerted police to suspicious vans and masked men, spotted while returning from a party, told reporters on Monday she had received “no follow-up at all” from the authorities. She said she did not see herself as a hero for reporting the vans blocking a road near the base.
The defence secretary, Wes Streeting, indicated that UK security services were aware in advance about the group of men, suggesting the farmer who said security forces had “dropped the ball” only “had a partial picture.” Speaking at the Labour party conference in Liverpool, Streeting said he could not give further details because of the live police investigation, but stressed that the UK-US relationship is “the closest alliance” of any two countries and that the nations would always “stand together” against those who wish to cause harm.
Why it matters
An alleged bomb plot at a base used by the US military for Middle East operations raises serious questions about domestic security and potential foreign interference. The conflicting accounts from officials, local representatives and a member of the public who reported the suspects highlight tensions over how such threats are handled.
Frequently asked questions
How many people were arrested over the RAF Fairford incident?
Five men were arrested near the base early on Sunday, initially over explosives offences and later on suspicion of the preparation of a terrorist act. They were released on bail on Monday.
Is Iran involved in the suspected plot?
Counter-terrorism police are investigating a possible Iran link, but the question remains open. Iran has rejected any link to the arrests, according to the Guardian.
Were residents evacuated?
Yes. About 85 properties in the village of Whelford, Gloucestershire, were evacuated on Sunday morning following the arrests.
Timeline
- What we know about RAF Fairford ‘bomb plot’
Al Jazeera: A police alert turned into a potential Iranian “bomb plot” against a British military base used by the US.
- Tuesday briefing: Inside the suspected bomb plot at RAF Fairford
The Guardian World: In today’s newsletter: New details suggest there is a counter-narrative to how events unfolded at the airbase used by the US Good morning. Vehicles suspected of carrying explosives zipping across Britain, entirely unbeknownst to authorities, is a disconcerting prospect. Initially
- Rubio says foreign actor was ‘clearly’ behind suspected RAF Fairford bomb plot
The Guardian World: The US secretary of state offered no evidence for his claims, and also said many people were ‘disturbed’ that the five suspects had been released on bail US secretary of state Marco Rubio has said unequivocally that a foreign actor was involved in the suspected UK bomb plot at RA
- Local representatives question official accounts after suspected bomb plot at RAF Fairford
The Guardian World: Amid conflicting statements, local MP and councillors demand answers over how suspects were allowed to enter residential areas of nearby village An MP and councillors representing the residents of the village near RAF Fairford who were evacuated due to a suspected terror plot hav
- Questions remain over Iran’s link to alleged RAF Fairford bomb plot
The Guardian World: Tehran has been trying to step up attacks on targets in the west but its track record has been mixed Investigators may be some way from determining exactly what led five men with three vans to a village just outside RAF Fairford in the small hours of Sunday – but the fact they ha
- Farmer who alerted police to RAF Fairford suspected bomb plot says there was ‘no follow-up’
The Guardian World: Woman who spotted suspicious vans and masked men says authorities did not contact her after five men were arrested A farmer who claims to have alerted the police to a suspected terrorist bomb plot at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire has said she has had “no follow-up at all” from
- RAF Fairford live updates: Iran rejects any link to airbase arrests as police say those held are UK nationals from London
The Guardian World: The counter terror police say the investigation has led to multiple lines of new enquiry UK security forces aware of suspected bomb plot, hints defence secretary RAF Fairford suspected bomb plot: have you been affected? Speaking at the Labour party conference in Liverpool, the de
- UK security forces were aware of RAF Fairford suspected bomb plot, hints defence secretary
The Guardian World: Wes Streeting indicates farmer who alerted police and said security forces had ‘dropped the ball’ only ‘had a partial picture’ UK security services were aware in advance about a group of men arrested in connection to a bomb plot against an RAF base used by the US military, Wes St
- UK security forces were aware of RAF Fairford suspected bomb plot, says defence secretary
The Guardian World: Wes Streeting indicates farmer who alerted police and said security forces had ‘dropped the ball’ only ‘had a partial picture’ UK security services were aware in advance about a group of men arrested in connection to a bomb plot against an RAF base used by the US military, Wes St
- RAF Fairford live updates: police investigate Iran link to suspected bomb plot
The Guardian World: Five men arrested over terrorism offences after explosives found near base Good morning and welcome to our coverage of events at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire as counter-terrorism police investigate whether Iran is behind a suspected bomb plot at the base which is used by the U