Iran's embassy in London has categorically rejected and strongly condemned what it called 'unfounded and malicious' speculation linking it to the arrest of five men near RAF Fairford, saying such claims fuel 'Iranophobia'.
The arrests came after an alleged terror plot was discovered near the Gloucestershire base used by the US military. Five British male nationals in their 20s from London have been arrested, police said.
Embassy statement rejects speculation
In a statement on social media, the embassy said: 'The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in London categorically rejects and strongly condemns the recent unfounded and malicious speculations published by some British individuals and media outlets attempting to link Iran to the arrest of five suspects in the vicinity of RAF Fairford base.'
The statement added: 'The circulation of such fabricated speculations, particularly in the aftermath of the criminal acts of aggression committed by the United States and the Israeli regime against the Iranian people, will serve no purpose other than to fuel Iranophobia propaganda in the UK.'
Iran said it reserves the right to take appropriate legal measures to safeguard the rights and interests of the country and its people in response to what it called misleading and damaging media narratives.
Arrests and investigation
The men were arrested in Whelford, Gloucestershire, in the early hours of Sunday, initially on suspicion of explosives offences and later terrorism. A villager called 999 after seeing three vans and a group of masked men near the base, and dozens of homes were evacuated as bomb disposal teams were called in.
Police are understood to be investigating if any potential plot could be linked to Iran, which has used proxies to carry out crimes on British soil in the past. The arrests come amid heightened concerns around the threat from hostile states to the UK, with Russia and Iran among those that have used proxies to commit crimes on their behalf, the Express reports.
In March, officials said the number of national security cases involving activity by hostile states, including Iran, had increased 50% in the six months to December 2025.
Police urge patience amid speculation
Counter-Terrorism Policing (CTP) said multiple new lines of inquiry have emerged after investigators worked at the scene overnight. Deputy assistant commissioner Vicki Evans, CTP Senior National Coordinator, said: 'This is a hugely complex and large-scale operation, involving local and national policing, the MoD, and local agencies, who are working together to progress the investigation and support for the community.'
She added: 'I know this has been incredibly disruptive for local people, but I'd like to reassure them that our activity is in the interest of national security, but most importantly in the interest of their own safety.'
Evans also said: 'I am very aware of the levels of speculation about the motivation behind this incident, and the geopolitical questions that are being raised. However, I ask that at this time, Counter Terrorism Policing are given the space to work carefully and clearly.'
The five suspects are being held under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act, and officers have been granted an initial extension until later today to hold them in custody. They are a 24-year-old from Camden, north London; three men aged 23, 24 and 25 from Westminster, and one aged 24 from Willesden, north-west London.
A police cordon remains in place in Whelford and will be reviewed later today, CTP said. The operation was not intelligence-led, meaning investigators did not know of any potential plot in advance, it is understood.
On Sunday, US President Donald Trump told reporters the suspects were looking to 'do big damage', while on Monday, Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said the UK must not be 'cowed by sabre-rattling from Iran' or allow the country to 'dictate our foreign policy' while stressing it was 'too early to attribute background aims'.
Investigators will now work to analyse any devices seized from those arrested to establish details of any plot and any potential motivation.
