British police are still examining possible foreign state involvement in a suspected plot targeting a key airbase even after deciding to release five men who were arrested near the site. The five British nationals, all in their early twenties and from London, were detained early on Sunday close to RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire. That base hosts American bombers used in missions against Iranian targets.
A local farmer raised the alarm after spotting three white vans heading toward the base and seeing hooded and masked men running into nearby fields. She believes her emergency call helped stop any attack from going further. Police later confirmed the men had been held on suspicion of explosives offences and planning a terrorist act. Counter-terrorism chief Laurence Taylor said the suspects would be released on strict bail later on Monday but stressed that the investigation remains fully active.
Taylor made clear that officers are exploring every angle, including the possibility that the men were acting as proxies for a foreign state, whether knowingly or not. A source familiar with the case had earlier pointed to an Iranian-linked motive as the most likely explanation, though Russian sabotage or an Islamist plot were also under review. Iran’s embassy in London strongly rejected any suggestion of involvement and called the claims malicious speculation designed to fuel negative attitudes.
The base has been under heightened security. Police maintained a large cordon, examined the vans with military and forensic support, and temporarily evacuated residents from eighty-five homes in the nearby village of Whelford. The scene was later declared safe. US President Donald Trump described the suspects as people who wanted to cause major damage. British Defence Minister Wes Streeting noted that Iran and its proxies regularly seek to harm British interests and democracy.
Britain had already raised its national terrorism threat level earlier this year. Security alerts were issued for US citizens, and extra measures were put in place at other American airbases in the country. The government confirmed it had authorised the use of Fairford-based bombers against Iranian missile sites threatening shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
While the five men are no longer in custody, the UK Airbase Plot probe continues with multiple lines of enquiry still open.
