British counter-terror police question five men held at airbase used by US to attack Iran

FAIRFORD, England/LONDON – British police were questioning five men on Sept 28 on suspicion of explosives and terrorism offences after they were detained near an airbase that has been used by the US to strike Iran.

Officers seized the men in the early hours of Sept 27 after they received a tip-off that three large white vans were heading to the military airfield of RAF Fairford in the west of England.

US President Donald Trump said the suspects had been looking to do “big damage” and had been under investigation by the British and US authorities.

A source familiar with the investigation said an Iranian-linked motive was considered the most likely, while a Russian sabotage operation or an Islamist plot were also being looked at as possibilities.

But Iran’s embassy in London on Sept 28 rejected what it described as “unfounded and malicious speculations” linking Tehran to the arrested men.

In a statement posted on X, the embassy said it “categorically rejects and strongly condemns” attempts to connect Iran to the arrests and said such speculation would only serve to “fuel Iranophobia propaganda” in Britain.

British police said on Sept 28 that the five men who were detained were all British nationals who live in London, and were all in their mid-twenties. But they have not linked Iran to the arrests, and an investigation led by Counter Terrorism Policing was under way.

“At this time, we are working to establish the full circumstances of the activity of those arrested, their knowledge and any motivation behind this incident,” Counter Terrorism Policing said in the statement.

“I am very aware of the levels of speculation about the motivation behind this incident, and the geopolitical questions that are being raised. However, I ask that at this time, Counter Terrorism Policing are given the space to work carefully and clearly.”

The police have released little information, and there were questions about whether the suspects were under the level of surveillance that Trump suggested.

A local farmer, who has not been named, said she had alerted police after seeing a group of “hooded and masked men” running into the fields.

“I believe that my 999 (emergency) call foiled whatever plans they had,” the farmer told BBC radio.

Defence Minister Wes Streeting told the BBC the farmer had only a “partial picture” and said he would not speculate about motives of a live investigation.

But speaking about a general Iranian threat to the country, he said: “We know that Iran and their proxies wish to do us harm. We know that they hate our democracy, and we know that we regularly have to thwart Iranian attempts to threaten either our interests or indeed our allies.”

Terrorism threat severe

Britain in April raised its national terrorism threat level to “severe” from “substantial” after a series of anti-Semitic incidents in north London, indicating a terrorist attack within the six months is considered highly likely.

Police said they were investigating Iran links to many of the incidents in which properties connected to the Jewish community or Iranian dissidents were targeted.

In May, Britain sanctioned 12 individuals and entities linked to Iran, accusing them of involvement in hostile activity including plotting attacks and providing financial services to groups seeking to destabilise Britain and other countries.

Iran has repeatedly denied involvement in attacks or plots in Britain and elsewhere.

Responding to the Fairford arrests, the US Embassy issued a security alert saying US citizens should “exercise caution” and be “mindful of personal security”.

“US-associated facilities, gatherings, and organisations may be at heightened risk,” the statement said.

The British government had given authorisation to the US to use bombers based at Fairford to strike Iranian missile sites that were attacking ships in the Strait of Hormuz.

It has said Prime Minister Andy Burnham is being regularly updated on the incident and he cancelled attending at least two events at his Labour Party’s annual conference on Sept 27.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards had warned Britain in July not to allow US bombers to fly from Fairford, saying any base used to launch attacks would be a legitimate target.

In Fairford, police have imposed a 400m cordon around the base and evacuated residents from 85 homes.

A bomb disposal robot could be seen on Sept 27 operating around the three white vans, while security was stepped up around the base. Armed police stood guard at the main entrance while large machinery was used to block other access points.

Security was also stepped up at other US bases in Britain. REUTERS