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British police released five London-based men on bail amid a probe into a suspected bomb plot near RAF Fairford, with US President Donald Trump expressing surprise at the decision. Authorities are investigating potential involvement by a foreign state as Iranian officials deny any connection to the security scare.
Amid concerns about involvement by Iran, US President Donald Trump expressed surprise at news of the men's release. British police said on Tuesday five men arrested near an airbase used by the United States were released on bail, as officers probed whether a "foreign state" could be involved in a suspected bomb plot.
US President Donald Trump, speaking in Washington DC, said he was "surprised that they released them", adding that "I wouldn't have done that". The release of the five — all London-based Britons in their mid-20s — came as British Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced an emergency meeting of top officials to ensure they have "the full picture".
Earlier, Iran had denied involvement in any plot to target the Royal Air Force Fairford base in Gloucestershire, southwest England, following the security scare there early on Sunday. Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox. Police said in their latest updates on Tuesday that the five men held, who all live in inner London boroughs, were being released on bail.
"This does not mean the investigation is over," assistant commissioner Laurence Taylor, the head of Counter Terrorism Policing, said, adding the five would be subject to "stringent" bail conditions. He said officers were "considering this from every possible angle, including that this may be activity committed by proxies, or individuals either knowingly or unknowingly, working on behalf of a foreign state".
The men were arrested on suspicion of explosives offences and "preparation of a terrorist act" under UK anti-terrorism laws, according to police. They had been travelling in the three suspect vehicles, which have since been subject to "extensive examination, with the support of military assets and forensic experts". Amid huge questions about what happened, authorities have not confirmed any details of the threat, but bomb-disposal experts were seen at work at the scene.
The Daily Mail and Press Association both reported on Tuesday they understood from sources that tests on materials in the back of the vans established they were "not viable explosives". A farmer living in the village of Whelford near the airbase said she rang the police after seeing the vans blocking a road and a group of masked men. The anonymous woman told media on Monday that she believed the police had "dropped the ball" on the threat.
Trump on Monday said the UK and US had the suspects "under investigation" for a while and alleged, "they were looking to do big damage to our fort". On Tuesday, after hearing news of their bail, Trump said the case "might be" linked to Iran but declined to elaborate. Pressed to give details, Trump said: "I'd rather not. I mean, I know the answer, I could be very specific, but I'd rather not say.
I would not have released them.
" Iran's embassy in London said on X that it "categorically rejects and strongly condemns" speculation that Iran was involved. It criticised "the recent unfounded and malicious speculations published by some British individuals and media outlets attempting to link Iran" to the incident. Since then, US bombers and other planes have been seen taking off and landing from the base — the only one on Britain's mainland used for this purpose.
Residents in the rural Cotswolds area surrounding Fairford said the site, which hosts a range of US military equipment and personnel, had seen increased activity and security in recent months. Around 85 households were evacuated from the village early Sunday, and had to stay elsewhere overnight, but were allowed back to their homes late Monday. Iran has previously warned London against allowing its bases to be used by the US in operations against Iran.
In March, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused London of "putting British lives in danger" by allowing the bases to be used "for aggression against Iran". Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.
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