Three vans and an early morning tip-off
British counter-terrorism police received a call in the early hours of Sunday about three suspicious white vans that appeared to be heading towards RAF Fairford, a military airfield in Gloucestershire in western England. Armed officers stopped the vehicles and arrested five men on suspicion of explosives and terrorism offences, including preparation of a terrorist act. Police declared a major incident, put a 400-metre cordon around the base and evacuated residents from 85 homes.
Bomb disposal officers used a robot to inspect the vehicles. Local residents described the scene as surreal as road blocks and security checks went up around the base. Police said they believed the incident was contained.
All five released on police bail
Counter Terrorism Policing said the five men are all UK nationals in their twenties from London. By Monday all five had been released on police bail while the investigation continues. The head of UK counter-terrorism policing said a quantity of gasoline was recovered from the vehicles, and that no explosives were found. Officers said they were exploring multiple lines of inquiry, including whether proxies or individuals working on behalf of a foreign state were involved.
Iran's embassy in London criticised what it called misleading and damaging media narratives about the case and said Iran reserves the right to take legal measures to protect its interests.
Why RAF Fairford matters
The base has been used as a forward operating location by the US Air Force for decades. In recent months US bombers have taken off from Fairford for the Middle East, after the UK approved a US request to use the base for defensive strikes on Iranian missile sites. Iran's Revolutionary Guards warned Britain in July not to allow US bombers to fly from Fairford, saying any base used to launch attacks would be a legitimate target. Prime Minister Andy Burnham cancelled at least two events at his party's annual conference on Sunday to be updated on the case.