UK Prime Minister Says Iran Likely Involved in RAF Fairford Incident

Prime Minister Andy Burnham told the BBC that the government has "strong indications" Iran was involved in the incident at RAF Fairford over the weekend, though he did not provide further details. Tehran has denied any role.

The comment follows reports that one of the five men arrested after police were alerted to three suspicious vehicles in the village of Whelford had called emergency services before being detained. All five, aged 23 to 25, are UK nationals; four reside in Westminster and one in Camden. Their homes have been searched, and police found petrol but no explosives.

Burnham said the suspects were released on bail under "the strictest possible bail conditions" and that authorities have "the strongest grip and closest control" over the case. He added that British officials have been in regular contact with U.S. counterparts throughout the investigation and expressed confidence in the security services' handling of the matter.

U.S. officials have also linked the incident to a foreign actor. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Fox News the case "clearly involves the hands of a foreign actor" and referenced threats from Iran against American interests. President Donald Trump, speaking at the White House, questioned the decision to grant bail, saying he would have opposed it.

The RAF Fairford base, used by the U.S. Air Force for decades, has recently supported defensive strikes on Iran following a UK approval. Police described the bail release as an "investigative decision" based on experience and strategy, and investigations remain ongoing.