Iran's embassy in London denied involvement in a suspected bomb plot at the Royal Air Force Fairford base in Gloucestershire, after five London‑based Britons were arrested on Sunday.
Earlier this week, three white vans were spotted on Fairford road, heading toward the airbase, prompting a counter‑terror unit tip that the vehicles carried suspicious cargo. Police said the vans appeared around 10 am Sunday, and the men inside were soon detained.
The five suspects, aged 23, 24, 24, 24 and 25, all hold UK passports and live in inner London boroughs. They are held on suspicion of explosives offences and preparation of a terrorist act under the Terrorism Act 2000. The counter‑terror unit secured an extension of their custody until Monday.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans urged the public to allow the investigation to proceed without speculation. "We are aware of the geopolitical questions being raised," she said. "At this time, Counter Terrorism Policing are given the space to work carefully and clearly."
A 48‑year‑old farmer from Whelford reported seeing masked men block a road, an observation that led to the evacuation of 85 households for the night. The local MP Roz Savage warned that the incident was "way too close a shave".
The UK military has allowed the US to use Fairford for defensive operations against Iran since March, a fact that Tehran has repeatedly criticized. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned London that such use "puts British lives in danger." The investigation will continue through the next week, with a review scheduled for Monday evening.