UK Police Bail Five RAF Fairford Suspects As Trump Questions Release

Five British men in their 20s arrested after three suspicious vans were found near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire were released on bail while UK counterterrorism police investigate possible explosives and terrorism offences. Police said the men remain under strict conditions as investigators consider whether a foreign state or its proxies were involved; reports said the materials examined were not viable explosives and police were also considering financial motives. President Donald Trump said he was surprised by the release and would not have granted bail, suggesting Iran might be connected without publicly offering evidence. Iran denied involvement and condemned the speculation. RAF Fairford is used by the U.S. military, including in operations related to Iran.
The suspects were described as London-based British nationals in their mid-20s.
The vans underwent extensive examination by military personnel and forensic experts.
Trump said on Sunday that the suspects had been “under view for a long time” and intended to do “big damage” to the base; British authorities said the arrests followed a farmer’s call about suspicious vehicles.
RAF Fairford has been used by U.S. forces for defensive operations aimed at destroying Iranian missiles at their source.
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