The US has blamed a 'foreign actor' for Sunday's incident at RAF Fairford and said there is 'a lot more' set to emerge from the arrests.
Five men arrested near RAF Fairford
Gloucestershire police detained five men in Whelford, close to RAF Fairford - a base used by the US Air Force for combat missions - at approximately 12:45am on Sunday (September 27). Bomb disposal experts were called to examine three vans discovered by a farmer who dialled 999 upon returning home from a party.
Connections were made to Iran, given that RAF Fairford has been used by the Americans to launch air strikes on the Middle Eastern nation. Tehran's London embassy previously said it "categorically rejects and strongly condemns the recent unfounded and malicious speculations" regarding Iranian involvement.
Rubio calls incident 'very serious'
Hours afterwards, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Fox News the 'very serious' alleged terror conspiracy was orchestrated by a 'foreign actor', though he refused to identify the organisation he suspects.
The chief of UK Counter Terrorism Policing, Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, acknowledged speculation over whether Iran was responsible for the plot and said the force was exploring 'every possible angle'.
Speaking outside New Scotland Yard on Monday, Mr Taylor said he recognised there was "significant interest in whether the current geopolitical context has a bearing on this incident". He confirmed the five detained men, all British nationals residing in London, have since been released on bail by officers.
President Trump voices surprise at bail decision
President Donald Trump voiced his 'surprise' at the bail decision. Speaking from the Oval Office on Monday, Mr Trump said: "I will tell you, I would have said 'Don't let them have bail'. I'm surprised that they released them. I wouldn't have done that."
Prime Minister Andy Burnham presided over a Cobra meeting on Monday. Following the meeting, Defence Secretary Wes Streeting explained that decisions regarding bail were operational matters for the police and prosecutors, and the investigation was still underway.
Mr Rubio praised British police, describing officers as 'very co-operative'. He commented: "I know a lot of people are disturbed by the news that some of these people have been released on bail... Obviously we're engaging with them on all of that. But suffice it to say that beyond that, I would argue that they've been very co-operative and very helpful on something that's a very serious incident, and I think it ties us to the reality here."
Suspects released on bail under stringent conditions
The five suspects include a 24-year-old from Camden, north London; three men aged 23, 24 and 25 from Westminster, central London, and one aged 24 from Willesden, north-west London.
Mr Taylor confirmed the men were released on bail under 'stringent conditions' on Monday but 'absolutely remain under investigation as we explore multiple lines of inquiry'.
People evacuated from around 85 homes were allowed back on Monday, though a cordon remains in place surrounding the vehicles. It is believed the substance discovered wasn't live explosives, but officers have confirmed the investigation continues.
