Britain's Counter-Terror Unit investigating suspicion of Iranian involvement in plot at US bomber base

Five men were arrested near RAF Fairford air base in Britain, which hosts American bombers, on suspicion of plotting an attack, and according to British media the leading direction of investigation by the Counter-Terror Unit is direct Iranian involvement.

A day after five suspects were arrested near RAF Fairford, British media report that the leading direction of investigation by the Counter-Terror Unit is direct Iranian involvement. According to the report, directions involving global jihad elements or a Russian sabotage operation are also being examined, but a connection to Tehran is described at this stage as most likely.

According to reports in the Sun and Mirror, a local farmer returning from a party spotted three white vans and men wearing beanies near the base's fences at around 00:45 and dialed emergency number 999. Armed officers arrested five men on suspicion of plotting an attack and offenses related to explosives. British military bomb disposal personnel checked devices found in vehicles using a bomb-disposal robot, and some 85 families were evacuated from their homes.

US President Donald Trump claimed the arrested men had been under surveillance for a long time, but according to the Times, security officials confirmed the arrests were not preplanned and did not result from advance intelligence. Alert status at Fairford was raised to its highest level, and security was also increased at RAF Lakenheath, which also hosts US forces.

In July, Iran's Revolutionary Guards explicitly threatened to strike RAF Fairford, which regularly hosts strategic bombers. According to security sources cited in the Telegraph, if a direct link to Tehran is proven, the Islamic Republic may have deployed one of its own cells this time rather than relying on local proxies or crime organizations.