Rubio says RAF Fairford terror plot 'clearly involves hands of a foreign actor'
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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the suspected terror plot at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire 'clearly involves the hands of a foreign actor.' Five UK nationals in their 20s were arrested and later released on bail after suspicious vehicles were reported near the base on Sunday. Tehran has strongly denied any involvement.
Key Facts
- Five men, all UK nationals aged 23 to 25 from London, were arrested on suspicion of terror offences and later released on bail.
- The Iranian embassy in London said it 'categorically rejects and strongly condemns' what it called 'unfounded and malicious speculations' linking Iran to the incident.
- Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, head of Counter Terrorism Policing, said officers are considering all angles, including activity committed by proxies or individuals working on behalf of a foreign state.
- Prime Minister Andy Burnham chaired a Cobra meeting on Monday and urged people not to speculate while authorities establish the full facts.
- US President Donald Trump said he would have denied bail to the five men, stating 'I'm surprised that they released them.'
The Incident
A major incident was declared at the weekend after 'suspicious vehicles' were seen near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire. Dozens of homes were evacuated after the three vehicles were reported to police in the early hours of Sunday morning. Five men, all UK nationals in their 20s, were arrested on suspicion of terror offences and later released on bail. On Tuesday a heavily guarded police cordon remained in place around the RAF base at Fairford.
Official Statements
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Fox News on Monday that the incident 'clearly involves the hands of a foreign actor.' Rubio said 'I think it ties us to the reality here, and that is we are dealing with elements in the world, and in the case of Iran, for example, who have openly threatened to attack American interests globally.' Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor said officers are considering all angles, including that 'this may be activity committed by proxies, or individuals either knowingly or unknowingly, working on behalf of a foreign state.' The Iranian embassy in London said it 'categorically rejects and strongly condemns' what it called 'unfounded and malicious speculations' linking Iran to the incident.
Political Reactions
US President Donald Trump said at the White House on Monday that he would have said 'Don't let them have bail' and was surprised they were released. Prime Minister Andy Burnham chaired a Cobra meeting on Monday and urged people 'not to speculate while the authorities establish the full facts.' Residents of the nearby village of Whelford have been told they can move home, with one local telling the BBC most people had returned but were told by police to stay inside and not take photos.
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