UK Says 5 RAF Fairford Plot Suspects Are British Nationals as Iran Denies Any Link
Updated
Updated · The Washington Post · Sep 28
UK Says 5 RAF Fairford Plot Suspects Are British Nationals as Iran Denies Any Link
3 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · Sep 28
Summary
Five men arrested near RAF Fairford were British nationals in their mid-20s living in London, UK authorities said, after detaining them on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act and breaching explosives laws.
Three vehicles were stopped early Sunday while heading toward the base, about 80 miles west of London, after a 12:45 a.m. emergency call from a member of the public reported suspicious behavior.
Iran's embassy in London rejected any connection, while British police said they were examining possible Iran links but disclosed no motive or affiliations and urged against speculation.
RAF Fairford had already been viewed as a potential retaliation target after Britain allowed US bombers to use British bases in strikes on Iran; Iran's Revolutionary Guard named such bases legitimate targets in July.
The case is likely to sharpen scrutiny of UK base security and Iran-linked threats, which MI5 said last year included more than 20 potentially lethal plots in a 12-month period.