UK says Iran may have played role in suspected RAF Fairford plot

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said Wednesday there were “strong indications” Iran played a role in a suspected plot involving five men arrested near RAF Fairford, an air base in western England used by U.S. forces for strikes against Iran.

The five British nationals, all in their 20s, were arrested early Sunday on suspicion of explosives offenses and preparing an act of terrorism after three vans were stopped near the base. They were released on bail Monday under conditions while the investigation continues.

Police said no improvised explosive devices were found, but officers recovered a quantity of gasoline from the vehicles. Laurence Taylor, the head of British counterterrorism policing, said investigators were examining whether proxies or other individuals had acted, knowingly or unknowingly, for a foreign state. Burnham did not disclose evidence supporting the suspected Iranian connection, describing the investigation as complex and serious and saying British authorities were working closely with U.S. officials.

Iran’s embassy in London categorically denied involvement and condemned speculation linking Tehran to the incident. Iran has previously said bases used to attack its territory are legitimate targets.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the incident clearly involved a foreign actor but offered no details. President Donald Trump suggested the suspects might be connected to Iran and criticized the decision to release them. British officials defended the bail decision as an investigative judgment and said the suspects remain under investigation.