Embassy warns Americans in U.K.

The U.S. embassy in London issued a security alert after a suspected terror plot near RAF Fairford, a British airbase used by U.S. forces.

Five men arrested on bail

British police arrested five men on suspicion of explosives and terrorism offences near the base in southwest England early Sunday. All were released on bail Monday.

Arrests followed tip about vehicles

Gloucestershire Police received a call at twelve forty-five a.m. from a farmer who found three white vans blocking the road toward RAF Fairford with hooded, masked men inside.

“I saw a large group of hooded and masked men. When they saw me, they ran ahead of me… I then realised that something highly unusual was taking place.”

Suspects are London-based British nationals

Counter Terrorism Policing confirmed the five arrestees are British nationals in their twenties living in London. They remain under investigation with strict bail conditions.

U.K. threat level already at severe

The U.K. raised its national terrorism threat level to severe in April, meaning an attack is highly likely. This followed an antisemitic attack declared a terrorist incident.

Iran previously named the base as target

RAF Fairford is a U.S. forward operating base used in strikes against Iran. The Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps previously said it could be a target.

Officials probe Iran connection cautiously

British Defense Secretary Wes Streeting said it is too soon to speculate on motives. Counter Terrorism Policing is examining whether proxies or individuals unknowingly worked for a foreign state.

“We know that Iran and their proxies wish to do us harm. We know that they hate our democracy.”

Trump claims suspects were under watch

President Donald Trump said Sunday the suspects had been under investigation for a long time and were planning to damage the base. Streeting did not reject this assertion.

“They were looking to do big damage to our fort, and working with the British worked out great… and we got them.”

Iran denies any involvement

The Iranian embassy in London categorically rejected any link to the arrests, saying speculation fuels Iranophobia propaganda in the U.K.

“The circulation of such fabricated speculations... will serve no purpose other than to fuel Iranophobia propaganda in the U.K.”

U.K. has faced repeated Iranian threats

Former Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Iran backed more than twenty potentially lethal attacks on U.K. soil in the past year alone, targeting dissidents and the Jewish community.

“Over the last year alone, they have backed more than 20 potentially lethal attacks on U.K. soil.”

Multiple Iran-linked arrests this year

In March, four men were arrested for surveilling Jewish community locations for Iran. In May, a man was charged with assisting Iranian intelligence. In September, two more were arrested on similar charges.

U.K. designates Iranian guard corps as threat

In July, the U.K. designated Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps a national security threat under new powers, making it easier to prosecute anyone carrying out Iran's work in Britain.

“These new powers will make it easier to prosecute and lock up anyone carrying out [Iran's] dirty work here in Britain.”

Government convenes emergency meeting

Prime Minister Andy Burnham called the suspected plot deeply concerning and held a COBRA emergency committee meeting Monday afternoon with top advisers to discuss the incident.