Iran's embassy in London on Monday strongly denied any connection to an alleged terrorist plot targeting a US-operated air force base in England, calling the accusations "unfounded and malicious."
The denial came after British police arrested five men near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire on Sunday following the discovery of explosives. The embassy said in a statement on X that Tehran "categorically rejects and strongly condemns the recent unfounded and malicious speculations" attempting to link Iran to the arrests.
The statement further accused the media of fabricating stories to fuel "Iranophobia propaganda" in the UK, and warned that Iran "reserves the right to take appropriate legal measures" to protect its interests against "misleading and damaging media narratives."
Arrests and Investigation
Police responded to a call at approximately 12:45 a.m. local time on Sunday about three large white vans heading toward the base. Five men, all British nationals from London and aged between 23 and 25, were detained outside the military installation on suspicion of explosives offenses and later arrested on suspicion of preparing an act of terrorism.
However, on Monday, police announced that all five men would be released on bail, raising questions about whether the arrests had actually foiled an imminent attack. Investigators are still examining the explosives' possible links to Iran, Russia, or non-state militant groups.
The development comes amid heightened tensions between Tehran and Western nations, particularly after the US and UK have supported Israel in its conflict with Iran. RAF Fairford has been used by the US military for decades, and American B-52 and B-1 bombers have flown missions to Iran from the base since the war began in February.
Trump's Remarks
US President Donald Trump, speaking on Sunday, contradicted British police by claiming that Washington and London had worked together to detain the suspects, who he said had been "under investigation" for some time. Trump described the suspects as seeking to "do big damage," though he did not provide further details.
Iran has been linked to a series of attacks in Europe in recent years, and Tehran has repeatedly threatened countries that support Washington in the conflict. The arrests have intensified concerns about Iranian espionage and sabotage activities across the continent, where the US has positioned military equipment for use in the war.
Analysts note that the release on bail suggests authorities may not have found sufficient evidence to hold the suspects, but the investigation remains ongoing. The case has also drawn attention to the broader threat landscape, including previous incidents involving Iranian attacks on US assets in the region.
British security services have been on high alert, with recent efforts to counter domestic threats using advanced technology. The arrests at RAF Fairford underscore the persistent risk of terrorism targeting military installations.
As the investigation continues, the UK government has not commented on the embassy's statement, but officials are expected to provide updates in the coming days. The case has also sparked debates about the reliability of intelligence and the potential for false alarms, especially given the Trump administration's claims of a thwarted plot.
