Five men arrested in connection with a suspected bomb plot near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire have been released on bail. The UK nationals, aged between 23 and 25 and from London, were apprehended on Sunday after a local farmer reported suspicious activity.
Initially, the men were arrested under the Explosives Act and subsequently on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act. Counter-terror police have confirmed that three vehicles involved had been travelling overnight and underwent extensive examination. Material found inside the vehicles was determined not to be viable explosives, but the investigation is ongoing.
Gloucestershire constabulary stated they were alerted to suspicious vans at 12:45 am on Sunday, almost an hour before the farmer's 999 call. The head of UK National Counter Terrorism Policing, Laurence Taylor, confirmed yesterday that police are working to establish a motive and that the incident may have involved proxies or individuals working on behalf of a foreign state.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio claimed on Monday night that a foreign actor was involved, though he provided no evidence. The Iranian embassy has categorically rejected any involvement, despite Iran having previously stated it considers RAF Fairford a legitimate target.