Donald Trump has threatened to 'blow up' Iran as the country's role in a suspected terror plot at RAF Fairford is investigated. Andy Burnham said there are “strong indications” Iran played a part in the incident near RAF Fairford as the UK works closely with the US and authorities have the situation under “the strongest grip”.
Arrests and Investigation
Five British nationals, all in their mid-20s, were arrested on suspicion of explosives offences and terrorism near the military base over the weekend before being bailed under investigation on Monday. Counter-terror police have said a quantity of petrol but no explosive devices were found in the vans that sparked the security alert near the airbase.
The Prime Minister's comments came after Donald Trump criticised the decision to release the suspects. The Gloucestershire site has been used in recent months by American bombers after Sir Keir Starmer granted the US permission to use British bases for “defensive” strikes against Tehran during the Middle East war.
Burnham's Statement
Asked about the case in a series of broadcast interviews on Wednesday, Mr Burnham said: “There are strong indications that Iran played a part in what happened over the weekend at RAF Fairford, but it remains an ongoing, complex and serious police investigation.”
Mr Trump appeared unaware of Mr Burnham’s comments when asked at a White House event if the US planned any response against Tehran. The president said: “Did they say Iran played a role?”
Trump's Response
He added: “We’re studying it. We’re studying it very hard. Iran’s got a lot of problems right now. They have no money. Their currency is dead. Their economy is dead. Their military is gone. They have no military. They have no navy. They have no air force. And their leaders are fighting for control. I think their leaders are fighting very strongly for control, but control of what? But we’ll have an answer to that very quickly.”
Mr Trump also again questioned the release of the suspects and said he was “trying to figure out if that’s for real”, before he added: “Maybe they did it for a reason.”
Threat of Military Action
In a separate question on dealing with the Iranian regime he has repeatedly called “crazy”, the president said: “Maybe you blow them up. We have to make that decision. We blow them up, make a deal, but the time is coming. It’s going to end very soon, one way or the other.”
Earlier on Tuesday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a television interview that the suspected plot “clearly involves the hand of a foreign actor”, but refused to provide further details.
