UK has 'strong indications' Iran was involved in RAF airbase bombing plot, Burnham says

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham disclosed evidence suggesting Iran's possible involvement in a suspected plot targeting a Royal Air Force (RAF) airbase utilized by US forces to attack Iran. Five British men in their twenties were apprehended on Sunday on charges of terrorism and explosives offenses near RAF Fairford in western England, before being released on bail the following day.

Burnham told the BBC that there were strong indications Iran played a part in the incident, though it remained an ongoing, intricate, and serious police investigation. Iran vehemently denied any involvement on Monday, responding to reports of its potential role in the incident. The UK is collaborating closely with the US, whose bombers have recently employed the base for missions against Iran.

Following the arrests, US President Donald Trump alleged the men had intended to cause significant damage, and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio pointed to a foreign actor. Prior to Burnham's statement, Britain had not connected the incident to Iran, although counter-terrorism police acknowledged their investigation considered the likelihood of foreign state engagement and whether the incident might involve proxies, either knowingly or unknowingly acting on behalf of a foreign state.

Police revealed on Tuesday that petrol was discovered in the vans used by the men, but no improvised explosive device. They defended their decision to release the men on bail, which some, including Trump, had criticized. The Times reported that one of the men called emergency services before his arrest in the early hours on Sunday.

The newspaper speculated about whether the call was a result of surveillance, a dry run to test security, or a stunt to send a message to the British government, with investigators uncertain if the individual had second thoughts or if it was part of a plan.