The alleged bomb plot at RAF Fairford was reportedly foiled when one of the suspects called police himself. One of the five men arrested near the base in Gloucestershire on Sunday morning made a 999 call, prompting armed police to respond and apprehend the suspects, who were initially feared to be wearing suicide vests. On Tuesday, police confirmed that no improvised explosive devices were found in the three vans linked to the suspected terror plot. However, a quantity of petrol was recovered from the vehicles.
Laurence Taylor, head of Counter Terrorism Policing, stated that the investigation is ongoing, and the reasons behind the suspect's call to emergency services are being examined. The inquiry includes whether the call was an attempt to withdraw from a situation or part of a broader plan. There are also questions regarding the nature of the incident, with some suggesting it may not have been a foiled attack but rather a message directed at British and US authorities.
The five men, all British and in their 20s, were arrested on suspicion of explosive and terrorism offenses but were released on bail within 36 hours. Residents from 85 evacuated households in the nearby village of Whelford were allowed to return home after police determined that the items at the scene were not viable explosives. The airbase is used by the US Air Force for operations against Iran, and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated that the situation 'clearly involves the hand of a foreign actor,' though he did not directly accuse Iran.
Iran has denied any involvement in the incident, with its embassy criticizing the spread of what it called fabricated speculations. The state of alert at US airbases RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall was raised to 'Charlie,' the second-highest level, in response to the incident. Reports indicated that armed officers had been instructing residents to remain indoors as early as Saturday afternoon due to concerns of an imminent attack, although checks revealed little evidence of increased security at those bases.