Counter-terrorism police are investigating whether Iran is behind a suspected bomb plot after armed officers found suspected explosives in three vans parked minutes from RAF Fairford, a base used by the US military, the Guardian reported.
Armed officers arrested five men in the area of Whelford, a Cotswolds village in Gloucestershire, early on Sunday on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act. Later that day they were further arrested on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act, contrary to section 5 of the Terrorism Act, police said.
Police said they received a call at around 12.45am on Sunday about three suspicious vehicles that appeared to be travelling towards the airbase. According to the Guardian, a local woman spotted a group of men behaving unusually as she drove home late at night and called 999. Images circulating on Sunday showed shirtless men being handcuffed in a dark country lane.
The plot appears to have been foiled by chance, the Guardian reported, and the authorities appear to have been unaware of it until the 999 call.
Investigators were examining materials found in the vans, and their initial view was that they were consistent with improvised explosive devices, the Guardian understands. Army bomb disposal robots examined the vans inside a 400-metre cordon, and tests were continuing to establish whether the suspected devices were viable.
At least one van carried a fuel company’s logo and a phone number missing a digit. A real fuel company with the same name firmly rejected any connection to the incident, saying: “We are extremely concerned that our company’s name has been used without our knowledge or permission.” It said it was cooperating with the authorities.
Motive
Counter-terrorism police and the security services are searching for a motive. According to the Guardian, the location of the arrests and previous warnings from Tehran leave an Iranian motive high in the thinking of investigators and the government. However, sources warned that nothing was being ruled out, including a jihadist or other motive. Whether there was any foreign involvement forms part of the investigation.
The arrests come as the war between the US and Iran continues. In July, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps noted RAF Fairford’s use by US bombers and warned the UK that “any base used for aggression against Iranian territory constitutes a legitimate target for our forces”.
At the time, a government spokesperson said: “Our armed forces are ready to keep the United Kingdom safe from any kind of attacks, whether it’s on our soil or from abroad. The UK stands ready 24/7 to defend itself.”
Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence and Security has orchestrated attacks overseas before, the Guardian noted. Several recent incidents in the UK have been linked to Iran, including an antisemitic arson attack on four Hatzola ambulances in Golders Green. The UK threat level remains at severe, the second highest, meaning an attack is highly likely.
Reactions
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the incident was “deeply concerning” and that the government would “always take every step necessary” to protect people. Burnham was being updated from Liverpool, where the Labour Party conference is taking place. He cancelled plans to play in a journalists versus politicians football match so he could take calls about the incident.
US President Donald Trump claimed to have had the suspects under view for a “long time” and alleged the men “were looking to do big damage”. “It was fantastic. Working with Britain, it was an amazing job,” Trump said. The Guardian understands, however, that the operation was not intelligence-led.
The base
RAF Fairford hosts US air force missions against Iran. Its runway extends almost two miles (3km) and is reinforced to support heavy bombers such as the B-1 and B-52, which have been deployed in attacks on Iran. These aircraft can carry large payloads, including “bunker buster” bombs.
In March, then Prime Minister Keir Starmer granted permission for “defensive” US action against Iranian missile sites from UK bases. Four American bombers then landed at RAF Fairford, and the US began using British bases for “specific defensive operations”. There have been protests in recent months over the government’s decision to let the US use RAF Fairford for strikes on Iranian missile sites that are attacking ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
Evacuation
Residents of 85 households in Whelford were quickly evacuated to Cirencester leisure centre. It was unclear when they would be able to return home. Those at the leisure centre said the authorities had asked whether they had anywhere else to stay on Sunday night.
Jason, a Whelford resident who declined to give his surname, said outside the leisure centre: “There have been heightened tensions recently around the base, we are aware it is used by the USAF … It always feels pretty safe. Some residents have seen increased police patrols.”
Emergency services set up a temporary base at Fairford youth football club, about 1.5 miles (2.4km) north-west of Whelford. Several police vehicles, ambulances, fire engines, pop-up tents and a large mobile command unit were parked in the grounds.
Assistant Chief Constable Richard Ocone of Gloucestershire Constabulary said: “We appreciate the disruption this will have caused and would like to reassure them we are working as quickly as we can to get them back in their properties.”
(information from The Guardian/Image source: Anadolu via Reuters)
