LONDON — Britain says there are “strong indications” that Iran played a role in a suspected terrorist plot near RAF Fairford, a military base used by US aircraft for operations against Iran, escalating tensions between London and Tehran as investigators continue to examine what the five arrested men were planning.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said British and American authorities were conducting a “complex and serious” investigation into the incident but declined to disclose evidence linking Iran to the suspects.
“There are strong indications that Iran played a part in what happened over the weekend at RAF Fairford,” Burnham told British broadcasters. He said more information would be released when investigators were able to provide it.
Five British men in their 20s were arrested early Sunday after police were alerted to suspicious activity involving three vans near the Gloucestershire airbase. They were detained on suspicion of explosives offences and preparing a terrorist act before being released on bail a day later.
Police subsequently said they had found petrol in the vehicles but no explosive devices. Counter-terrorism officers said the absence of explosives did not mean the investigation had ended and that multiple lines of inquiry remained open.
The incident began when a local farmer reported the suspicious vehicles near the base. Police established a large security cordon, while bomb disposal and forensic teams examined the vehicles and surrounding area.
The suspects, all British nationals from London, remain under investigation and were released under stringent bail conditions. British counter-terrorism officials have said they are examining whether the men were acting independently or as proxies for a foreign state.
The investigation has attracted attention in Washington because RAF Fairford has been used by the United States for military operations against Iran. The base, located about 160km west of London, is one of the principal US military facilities in Britain capable of supporting long-range bomber operations.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said earlier that Washington believed a foreign actor was involved but did not identify the country. US President Donald Trump also suggested the incident could be connected to Iran and criticised the decision to release the suspects on bail.
Burnham defended the British authorities’ handling of the case and said he had been in contact with US officials. He said the investigation was under close government oversight and that he had confidence in Britain’s security services.
Iran has rejected the allegations.
Iran’s embassy in London said it “categorically rejects and strongly condemns” speculation linking Tehran to the arrests. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi later accused Britain of pursuing the wrong lead, while Tehran said the claims were unsupported.
The competing accounts leave the alleged Iranian connection unproven publicly. British officials have not disclosed the intelligence or evidence underpinning Burnham’s assessment, citing the continuing investigation.
The case comes against a backdrop of heightened British concern over alleged Iranian activity on UK territory. British authorities have previously accused Iran of using intermediaries or proxies to carry out operations in Britain, allegations Tehran has rejected.
RAF Fairford has particular significance in the current confrontation between Britain, the United States and Iran. The United States has used the base for bomber operations, including missions connected to the conflict with Tehran.
Iran has previously warned Britain about allowing its territory and military facilities to be used for operations against Iran. Iranian officials have said such cooperation exposes Britain to potential retaliation.
The latest investigation has also raised questions about what the suspects intended to do at Fairford. Police have not said whether the men were preparing an attack, conducting surveillance or carrying out another operation.
Authorities have stressed that the arrests were made before any attack occurred and that no explosives were found in the vans. The discovery of petrol has nevertheless become a central part of the investigation.
The five men remain on bail while counter-terrorism officers continue examining their movements, communications and possible links to foreign actors.
For now, the British government’s assertion of an Iranian connection remains an investigative finding rather than a publicly substantiated conclusion. Tehran continues to deny any involvement, while British and US authorities say they are working together to establish who was behind the activity near the airbase and what the suspects intended to accomplish.
