Andy Burnham: Clear evidence of Iran’s role in incident near US base in Britain

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said there was clear evidence linking Iran to events that took place last weekend near RAF Fairford air base in southwest England. The facility is used by the US military for operations against Tehran.

“There is clear evidence that Iran played a role in the events that took place at Fairford Air Base over the weekend,” Burnham said in an interview with the BBC. Tehran has categorically denied the allegations of involvement.

British authorities arrested five people, aged between 23 and 25, between Saturday evening and Sunday. The arrests were made near the base after a resident reported the presence of three suspicious vehicles.

Initially, the five suspects faced charges of violating the Explosives Act and preparing to carry out a terrorist act. However, they were released on bail on Monday. The following day, police announced that no explosives had been found in their vans, only large fuel reserves.

Burnham said the investigation by Britain’s counterterrorism agency was being conducted “in close cooperation with our colleagues in the United States.”

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also said on Tuesday that the case clearly involved “a foreign actor,” but provided no further information.

British police have said they are examining several possibilities, including the hypothesis that a foreign state was involved.

The decision to release the five men on bail prompted reactions in both Britain and the US. US President Donald Trump said he was “surprised” by their release.

Meanwhile, Burnham said today that all five men had been released “on bail under the strictest conditions.”

The Times reported that the case came to light after one of the five men contacted police before being arrested. It is still unclear whether he called the authorities after regretting his involvement or whether the contact was part of a scenario planned in advance.

The British newspaper did not disclose its sources, while police refused to confirm whether any of the suspects had notified the authorities.