The US Air Force has withdrawn all its bombers from RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire after a suspected terror plot at the base. Aircraft monitoring sites showed B-1 bombers flying out of the base on Sunday, with the aircraft returning to their home bases in the US.
Arrests and bail in terror investigation
On Saturday, Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) said a sixth man arrested in connection with events at RAF Fairford had been released on bail. The 25-year-old, a dual UK-Iranian national, was arrested on suspicion of preparation of terrorist acts under Section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006.
Five British nationals, all in their mid-20s, were previously arrested on suspicion of explosives offences and terrorism and then bailed. Three suspicious vans were spotted near the military site last weekend.
Investigation details and international response
Senior CTP national co-ordinator Vicki Evans previously described the investigation as “hugely complex”, adding that specialist teams were “interrogating multiple lines of inquiry”. She said: “As we’ve made clear, we’re looking at all possible angles – including possible foreign state involvement.”
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said there were “strong indications” that Iran played a part in the incident. RAF Fairford has been used in recent months by US bombers after former prime minister Sir Keir Starmer granted Washington permission to use British bases for “defensive” strikes against Tehran during the Middle East war.
Counter-terror police have said a quantity of petrol but no explosive devices were found in the vans that sparked the security alert. On Thursday, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed Israel had handed Britain intelligence about the suspected terror plot, saying his country warned UK authorities about the “Iranian-sponsored attack” shortly before Britain’s announcement of a ban on trade with illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
US reaction to bail decisions
Earlier in the week, US President Donald Trump said he was “disappointed” after the five men were released on bail. He told reporters: “We were involved in (the investigation), but as you know, your fellow countrymen let them go. Well, they didn’t let them go. They put them out on bail. I assume they haven’t watched closely… they should not have done that.”
