Britain has “strong indications” that Iran was involved in a suspected plot targeting RAF Fairford, a British airbase used by US forces for recent strikes on Iran, Prime Minister Andy Burnham said on Wednesday.
The comments marked the clearest public link drawn by the British government between Tehran and the incident, which triggered a major counter-terrorism operation near the base in western England.
Five British men in their 20s were arrested on Sunday on suspicion of terrorism and explosives-related offences near RAF Fairford. All five, who live in London, were later released on bail but remain under investigation.
“There are strong indications that Iran played a part in what happened over the weekend at RAF Fairford, but of course it remains an ongoing, complex, and serious police investigation,” Burnham told the BBC.
Iran has strongly denied involvement.
British authorities are working closely with the United States as investigators examine whether the suspects may have been acting on behalf of a foreign state, either knowingly or unknowingly.
RAF Fairford has been used by US bombers during recent military operations against Iran.
US President Donald Trump said after the arrests that the suspects had intended to cause “big damage,” while Secretary of State Marco Rubio said a foreign actor was involved. Neither initially identified a country.
Petrol found but no explosive device
Police said on Tuesday that petrol had been recovered from vans used by the suspects, but investigators found no improvised explosive device.
Counter-terrorism officials have defended the decision to release the five men on bail, saying the investigation remains active.
The circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear.
The Times reported that one of the suspects called emergency services shortly before the arrests early on Sunday.
Investigators are examining several possibilities, including whether the men were conducting surveillance, carrying out a security “dry run,” or attempting to send a message to the British government, according to the newspaper.
It remains unclear why the suspect allegedly contacted emergency services or whether the call formed part of the suspected operation.
Police have declined to confirm whether one of the men made the call.
The investigation continues as British authorities seek to establish the suspects’ intentions and determine whether a foreign government directed or influenced their actions.
