The United States has attributed the incident at RAF Fairford on Sunday to a ‘foreign actor’ and suggested that more details will emerge following recent arrests.
Gloucestershire Police detained five men in Whelford, near RAF Fairford-a site used by the US Air Force for combat missions-at approximately 12:45am on Sunday, 27 September. Bomb disposal experts were called to examine three vans found by a farmer who reported the discovery upon returning from a party.
Early speculation linked the incident to Iran, as RAF Fairford has been a launch site for American air strikes against the Middle Eastern nation. However, Tehran’s embassy in London categorically rejected these allegations, condemning them as unfounded and malicious.
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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Fox News that the alleged terror plot was a ‘very serious’ matter involving a ‘foreign actor’, though he did not specify which organisation he believed responsible.
Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, head of UK Counter Terrorism Policing, acknowledged the speculation around Iran’s involvement and confirmed that all angles were being investigated. Speaking outside New Scotland Yard on Monday, he noted the considerable interest in how current geopolitical tensions might relate to the incident. He also confirmed that the five men arrested-British nationals residing in London-have been released on bail.
Former US President Donald Trump expressed surprise at the decision to grant bail. Speaking from the Oval Office on Monday, he stated: “I would have said ‘Don’t let them have bail’. I’m surprised that they released them. I wouldn’t have done that.”
Prime Minister Andy Burnham chaired a Cobra committee meeting on Monday, after which Defence Secretary Wes Streeting emphasised that bail decisions are operational matters for police and prosecutors. He also confirmed the investigation remains active.
Mr Rubio praised the British authorities for their cooperation, describing them as “very co-operative”. He added: “I know many are disturbed by the news that some of these people have been released on bail… We are engaging with them on all of that. Beyond that, I would say they have been very helpful in dealing with what is a very serious incident, and this ties us to the reality here.”
The suspects include a 24-year-old from Camden, north London; three men aged 23, 24 and 25 from Westminster, central London; and one aged 24 from Willesden, north-west London.
Mr Taylor confirmed the individuals were released on bail under stringent conditions on Monday and stressed they remain under investigation as multiple lines of inquiry continue. Approximately 85 evacuated households were allowed to return home on Monday, although a police cordon remains in place around the vehicles.
Though the material found is not believed to have been viable explosives, police have confirmed that the investigation is ongoing.