UK says Iran may have played role in suspected RAF Fairford plot
publishers 94articles 113first reported 27 Sep, 14:15 UTCdeveloping since 27 Sep · 22 editionstop 25 #6
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said Wednesday there were “strong indications” that Iran played a role in a security incident near RAF Fairford, where five British men were arrested on suspicion of explosives offenses and planning an act of terrorism.
The men, all in their 20s and from the London area, were detained early Sunday after three vehicles were stopped near the air base in western England. RAF Fairford has been used by U.S. B-1 bombers for missions against Iran. Police said investigators recovered a quantity of gasoline from the vehicles but found no improvised explosive devices.
All five suspects were released on bail Monday under conditions restricting their movements. Laurence Taylor, a senior British counterterrorism officer, said the decision was based on investigative experience and strategy and emphasized that the inquiry remained active. Investigators are examining whether anyone involved acted knowingly or unknowingly on behalf of a foreign state.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the incident “clearly involved the hands of a foreign actor,” without providing details. President Donald Trump said the suspects “might be” connected to Iran and criticized the decision to release them.
Iran has categorically denied involvement. Burnham said British and U.S. officials were conducting a complex investigation and that further information would be released in due course.
HOW THIS STORY WAS MADE
Written from 8 articles, 3 with the publisher's own text; 8 independent newsrooms once syndicated copies count as one; this version written 68 h after the record first saw the story; the editor kept it as written.
- Publishers
- 94
- Source articles
- 113
- Given to the writer
- 8, 3 with the article's own text
- Independent newsrooms
- 8
- This version written
- 68 h after the record first saw the story
- Second model (editor)
- kept as written
- Publication gate
- passed
- Human review
- none
WHAT THE EDITOR DID
The second model checked the writer's draft against the same sources and published it as written.
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