US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has accused an unidentified foreign actor of involvement in a suspected plot near a British airbase used by American forces to launch strikes against Iran, as British counterterrorism police continue investigating the incident.
Five British nationals were arrested near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire early on Sunday on suspicion of terrorism and explosives offences. All five were released on bail on Monday, although police said their investigation remained active.
Speaking to Fox News late on Monday, Rubio described the incident as extremely serious and said it clearly involved the hands of a foreign actor.
The US secretary of state did not identify the country allegedly involved or provide evidence to support his assertion, saying he would not disclose further details at this stage.
President Donald Trump also raised the possibility of an Iranian connection, telling reporters at the White House on Monday that Tehran might have been involved.
Trump criticised the British authorities’ decision to release the suspects on bail, saying he would not have taken the same approach.
Iran has denied any involvement in the incident. British investigators have not publicly established a connection between the suspects and any foreign government.
Suspicious vans trigger major security operation
The five suspects, all London residents in their early 20s, were detained after a local farmer reported suspicious activity involving three large white vans parked near the military installation.
The farmer told reporters she became concerned after returning home at around 1 a.m. and discovering the vehicles parked along the road, with several hooded and masked men apparently fleeing the area.
One of the vans reportedly displayed a false telephone number.
British police subsequently declared a major incident, established security cordons and evacuated nearby homes. The government also convened a national emergency meeting.
However, a source familiar with the investigation told Reuters that the vans did not contain viable explosives.
The source also indicated that Sunday’s police operation had not been intelligence-led, suggesting the suspects were not under direct surveillance before their arrest.
Security around RAF Fairford had nevertheless been strengthened in the days preceding the incident, raising questions about whether authorities had received warnings of a potential threat.
A substantial police presence remained around the base on Tuesday, with roadblocks still in place as some evacuated residents began returning home.
RAF Fairford’s role in Iran war
RAF Fairford has become a strategically important installation for American military operations against Iran since the outbreak of the US-Iran war in late February.
The base hosts US military aircraft and has been used to support American strikes against Iranian targets.
British counterterrorism investigators are examining whether the suspects were acting on behalf of a foreign state, although they have not publicly identified a motive or confirmed foreign involvement.
The incident comes amid heightened British security concerns over alleged foreign-backed operations on UK soil.
London has previously imposed sanctions on individuals and organisations linked to Iran over allegations of hostile activities, including suspected plots targeting Britain and other countries.
Tehran has consistently rejected accusations that it has organised attacks or covert operations in Britain.
For now, the five men remain on bail, and British authorities have not announced charges or established whether the suspected incident was connected to Iran or another foreign state.
