UK says Iran may be linked to alleged airbase plot, drawing angry denial

What the report says

The United Kingdom says it is investigating a suspected security incident at RAF Fairford, a Royal Air Force base in England used by the United States, after five British men in their 20s were arrested nearby on Sunday on suspicion of terrorism and explosives offences. According to Al Jazeera’s report, all five were later released on bail while inquiries continued, and police said they had found no explosives in the vehicles but did recover a quantity of petrol.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham told the BBC that there were “strong indications” Iran had played a role, marking the first public British statement linking Tehran to the case. He did not explain what the alleged plan involved, but said the investigation remained ongoing and that the UK was working closely with the United States. British counterterrorism officials said the suspects were still under investigation and that one line of inquiry is whether they acted as proxies for a foreign state, knowingly or unknowingly.

Iran strongly rejected the allegation. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi dismissed the British claim on social media and accused London of releasing people he described as terrorists working for foreign states. The episode has drawn additional attention because of the base’s history of use by US bombers in Middle East conflicts and because US officials, including President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, criticized the decision to grant bail. The case matters because it raises questions about possible foreign involvement in UK security threats and about how authorities are balancing public safety with an active investigation.