Tehran rejects British claims of Iranian involvement as police continue investigating arrests near the US-linked RAF base….reports Asian Lite News Desk
Iran has rejected claims by the UK government that Tehran played a role in a recent security incident near RAF Fairford, a British military base used by the US Air Force in Gloucestershire.
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi dismissed the allegation in a post on X on Thursday, after British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said there were “strong indications” that Iran had played a part in the incident. Burnham said the matter remained the subject of an ongoing and “complex and serious” police investigation. The Guardian
The incident began on Sunday when police arrested five British men, all in their 20s, near RAF Fairford after reports of three suspicious vans in the Gloucestershire countryside close to the base.
The men were arrested on suspicion of explosives offences and preparing an act of terrorism. They were later released on police bail under strict conditions while investigations continue. Police have been examining the vans and addresses linked to the suspects in London. The Guardian
Authorities are investigating whether the men may have been acting knowingly or unknowingly on behalf of a foreign state. An Iranian connection is among the lines of inquiry, although Iran has repeatedly denied involvement. The Guardian
In his response, Araghchi directly referred to Burnham’s comments and criticised the decision to release the suspects on bail.
“PM Burnham says the UK Government ‘can confirm our belief that we believe Iran to have played a part’ in the RAF Fairford incident,” Araghchi wrote.
“I can confirm Iran’s belief that releasing supposed terrorists working for foreign states really says it all. You’re barking up the wrong tree.”
Burnham has defended the decision to release the suspects, saying they remain under stringent conditions and that the investigation is continuing. British authorities have not publicly disclosed evidence establishing a direct link between Iran and the incident. The Guardian
The case has also drawn criticism from senior US officials. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he had been “disturbed” by the suspects being released on bail, while US President Donald Trump also questioned the decision.
RAF Fairford has been used by the US military during the current conflict with Iran, making the incident particularly sensitive amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran. AP News
The investigation remains ongoing, with British authorities continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding the arrests and any possible links to a foreign state.
