UK leader says Iran may be linked to RAF Fairford security incident

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham says there are strong indications that Iran played a role in a security incident near RAF Fairford, a US-used airbase in southwest England. Five British men were arrested on Sunday after three vans were seen near the base. Police later released them on bail after a bomb-disposal operation found no explosives, although officers recovered a quantity of petrol.

A local resident had reported seeing masked men near the vans, which were blocking a road in a nearby village. The men had initially been arrested on suspicion of explosives and terrorism offences. The precise nature of the suspected threat has not been disclosed.

Burnham told British broadcasters that the case remained an ongoing, complex and serious police investigation. He said British authorities were working closely with US counterparts and that officials would provide more information in due course. Iran’s embassy in London has categorically rejected claims that Tehran was involved.

The allegation comes amid heightened tensions after Britain allowed the United States to use RAF Fairford for defensive strikes against Iran, a decision that has drawn criticism from Tehran. The incident became more contentious after US President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio questioned the decision to release the suspects on bail. British counterterrorism officials said the men remained under investigation and that the decision reflected investigative strategy and experience.

Authorities are also examining whether the suspected offences were carried out by proxies or individuals acting knowingly or unknowingly for a foreign state. Burnham said he had confidence in Britain’s security services and that the investigation was being handled under close official control.