The United States has linked Sunday's incident at RAF Fairford to a 'foreign actor', with officials indicating there is 'a lot more' information still to come from the arrests.
Gloucestershire Police apprehended five men in Whelford, near RAF Fairford — a base used by the US Air Force for combat operations — at around 12:45am on Sunday (September 27). Bomb disposal teams were called in to inspect three vans discovered by a farmer, who rang 999 after returning home from a party.
Iran speculation and official response
Early suspicions centred on possible links to Iran, given that RAF Fairford has previously served as a launching pad for American bombing campaigns against the Middle Eastern country. Tehran's London embassy had previously declared it "categorically rejects and strongly condemns the recent unfounded and malicious speculations" regarding Iranian involvement.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio subsequently told Fox News that the alleged terror plot, which he described as 'very serious', had been orchestrated by a 'foreign actor', though he declined to name the organisation he believes to be behind it, reports Gloucestershire Live.
Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, the head of UK Counter Terrorism Policing, acknowledged the widespread speculation surrounding Iran's potential role and confirmed that investigators were pursuing 'every possible angle'.
Bail decisions and political reactions
Speaking outside New Scotland Yard on Monday, Mr Taylor acknowledged there was "significant interest in whether the current geopolitical context has a bearing on this incident". He confirmed that the five arrested men, all British nationals residing in London, have been released on bail.
President Donald Trump voiced his 'surprise' regarding the bail ruling. Speaking from the Oval Office on Monday, Mr Trump commented: "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 chaired a Cobra meeting on Monday, following which Defence Secretary Wes Streeting stated that bail decisions were operational matters for the police and prosecutors, with the investigation remaining very much ongoing.
Investigation continues
Mr Rubio heaped praise on British officers, describing them as 'very co-operative', adding: "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."
The five suspects comprise 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 that the men were released on bail subject to 'stringent conditions' on Monday, while emphasising that they 'absolutely remain under investigation as we explore multiple lines of inquiry'.
Approximately 85 households of residents who had previously been evacuated were allowed to return to their properties on Monday, although a cordon remains in place around the vehicles. While it is understood that the material uncovered did not amount to viable explosives, police have confirmed that their enquiries are continuing.
