US Secretary of State Marco Rubio claimed a foiled terror plot near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire clearly involves a foreign actor, while British counter-terrorism police continue investigating five UK nationals released on police bail.
The security incident unfolded over the weekend when armed police stopped three vans near the village of Whelford in Gloucestershire, close to RAF Fairford. The Royal Air Force base is used by the United States Air Force to carry out strikes against Iran. Five men from London, all British nationals in their twenties, were detained on suspicion of explosive and terrorism offences.
Gloucestershire Police evacuated about 85 households near the air base, though residents were able to return home on Monday evening as investigators kept a cordon around the recovered vehicles.
Marco Rubio Points to Foreign Involvement as Donald Trump Questions Bail Decisions
Speaking on Fox News, Secretary of State Rubio stated that the near-miss in the United Kingdom clearly involves the hands of a foreign actor. While he mentioned Iran by name and pointed out its history of threatening American interests globally, he did not directly blame Tehran for the weekend incident and noted he had to remain careful about details.
What could have happened in the UK over the weekend is a very serious situation that clearly involves the hands of a foreign actor.
Marco Rubio, US Secretary of State, via Fox News
The decision by British authorities to release the five suspects on police bail drew immediate attention from US leadership. Speaking in the White House and the Oval Office, President Donald Trump told reporters he was surprised the group had been freed and stated he would not have permitted bail for suspects accused of seeking to damage the air base.
Despite questions over the bail release, Rubio thanked British authorities for their response, describing them as very cooperative and very helpful during a high-stakes security situation.
Counter-Terrorism Policing Maintains Open Mind Amid Proxy Inquiries
Head of UK Counter Terrorism Policing, Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, addressed public speculation outside New Scotland Yard on Monday. Taylor confirmed that the five men had been released on police bail following extensive interviews and inquiries, though they remain subject to stringent conditions regarding their movement and contact with others.
Taylor acknowledged widespread interest in whether current geopolitical tensions influenced the event. He emphasized that investigators are actively reviewing every possible angle, including whether the suspects acted as knowing or unwitting proxies for a foreign state.
At Counter Terrorism Policing, we are working within this context every single day and, at this stage, we are keeping an open mind in this investigation.
Laurence Taylor, Head of Counter Terrorism Policing
Meanwhile, the Iranian embassy in London issued a statement strongly rejecting the speculations of involvement, describing them as unfounded and malicious.
Ongoing Forensic Analysis and Next Steps in Gloucestershire
Although material recovered from the scene was determined not to be viable explosives, counter-terrorism officers continue to examine the scene and maintain a police cordon around the vans near RAF Fairford.
Authorities have indicated that further information will be released as forensic examinations and intelligence inquiries progress in the coming days.