UK Investigates Foreign State Involvement in Suspected Airbase Plot, Releases Suspects

Reuters

B‑1B Lancer bomber is parked at the RAF Fairford airbase.

British police said on Monday they were investigating whether individuals acting for a foreign state were involved in an apparent plot to attack an airbase used by the United States but said five suspects they had arrested would be released on bail.

The five men, all British nationals from London in ‌their early 20s, were detained early on Sunday after police were alerted by a local farmer about three white vans driving towards RAF Fairford, a British base that houses US bombers that fly missions against Iran.

Laurence Taylor, who heads Britain's counter-terrorism police, said the men, who had been arrested on suspicion of explosives offences and planning a terrorist act, would be released under stringent bail conditions on Monday.

"To be very clear, this does not mean that the investigation is over," Taylor said in a statement outside London police headquarters. "They absolutely remain under investigation as we explore multiple lines of enquiry."

US President Donald Trump told reporters at the White House on Monday that the incident "might be" connected ⁠to Iran, adding that he would not have released the suspects on bail. "I wouldn't have done that," he said.

The prime minister, Andy Burnham, called a meeting of the government’s crisis committee Cobra over the events and Iran’s possible role.

An initial examination of the vans led police to suspect they carried explosive materials, with assessments made as to whether they were viable improvised explosive devices.

Iran's embassy in London had earlier said in a statement it "categorically rejects and strongly condemns the recent unfounded and malicious speculations" that it was involved, which it said would fuel "Iranophobia propaganda" in Britain.

Taylor, who did not specifically refer to Iran, said he knew there was significant interest in whether the current geopolitical context had a bearing on this incident.

"Be assured, we are considering this from every possible angle, including that this may be actively committed by proxies or individuals either knowingly or unknowingly working on behalf of a foreign state."

Source: Reuters



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