British police release five arrested at RAF Fairford on bail

British counter-terror police said five men arrested over a suspected bomb plot at RAF Fairford were released on police bail on Monday, while the base remained under a security cordon.

Reaction pending.

RAF Fairford cordon and evacuations

Police said the five—UK nationals in their early to mid-20s based in London—had been detained since Sunday and were questioned on Monday on suspicion of offences including "preparation of a terrorist act" under UK anti-terror laws. Officers imposed a 400-metre cordon around the airbase and evacuated 85 homes; bomb-disposal teams searched three white vans seen near the site.

Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor said, "Following extensive interviews and inquiries, the five men who were arrested are being released on police bail this afternoon." He added: "To be very clear, this does not mean that the investigation is over. They are subject to stringent conditions on their movement and contact with others."

President Trump said the suspects had been looking to do "big damage" and were under joint investigation by British and US authorities. Investigators, speaking privately, have considered an Iranian-linked motive as the most likely, while also probing a possible Russian sabotage operation and other terrorism scenarios, a person familiar with the inquiry said.

The Iranian embassy in London said it "categorically rejects and strongly condemns" attempts to link Tehran to the incident. Officials said security was stepped up at other US-linked bases in Britain as inquiries continued this week.