Gloucestershire, UK — British counter-terrorism authorities have confirmed that no explosive devices were discovered in three suspicious vans parked near the RAF Fairford airbase, a key facility recently utilised for US military operations against Iran.
Following an extensive search involving military personnel and forensic experts, police reported recovering a quantity of petrol from the vehicles but found no improvised explosive devices (IEDs). The incident, which initially sparked widespread alarm and the evacuation of 85 local households in Gloucestershire, led to the arrest of five British nationals on Sunday. The suspects were subsequently released on strict police bail on Monday.
Laurence Taylor, head of Britain’s Counter Terrorism Policing, defended the decision to release the suspects. He stated it was an “investigative decision grounded in experience and careful consideration of policing powers,” emphasising that the men remain under active investigation and must adhere to strict bail conditions.
The incident quickly became politicised on the international stage. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio claimed—without providing evidence—that a “foreign actor” was behind the incident, a statement that prompted US President Donald Trump to express public surprise over the suspects’ release on bail.
Because RAF Fairford has hosted US B-1 bombers and was authorised by London in March to support “specific defensive operations” targeting the Islamic Republic of Iran, Western media and officials quickly speculated about Tehran’s involvement. The Iranian Embassy in London swiftly issued a statement categorically rejecting the accusations, condemning the “unfounded and malicious speculations” attempting to link the incident to Iran.
Despite the US allegations, British investigators have admitted that no evidence establishing Iranian responsibility—or the involvement of any other foreign state—has been found. Police noted that the vans carried the branding of an established fuel transport company that denied owning the vehicles, sparking alternative theories of fuel theft.
Meanwhile, evacuated residents of the nearby Whelford area have begun returning to their homes as the heavy police presence starts to scale down. The UK government, which convened a COBRA crisis committee meeting earlier this week to address the security breach, maintains that the probe is examining all angles, including the possibility of proxies acting on behalf of a foreign state.
Reference: Al-Mayadeen