Rubio confirms 'foreign actor' involved in UK terror plot
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that a foreign actor was clearly involved in a suspected terror plot targeting the UK air base RAF Fairford. British Prime Minister Andy Burnham added that strong indications point to Iran playing a part in the incident. Five men were arrested near the military installation in Gloucestershire and homes were evacuated before the suspects were released on bail. Police searched three vans near the base but found no explosives. The handling of the investigation has drawn questions from US officials following the release of the suspects.
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- ✓ US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that a foreign actor was clearly involved in the suspected terror plot targeting RAF Fairford.
- ✓ British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said there are strong indications Iran was involved in the alleged plot.
- ✓ Five men arrested near RAF Fairford were later released on bail.
- ✓ Police searched three vans near the military base and found no explosives.
What changed
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and British Prime Minister Andy Burnham publicly linked the RAF Fairford security incident to Iran.
Live updates
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US and UK Officials Point to Iran After RAF Fairford Terror Plot Arrests
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that a foreign actor was clearly involved in a suspected terror plot targeting the UK air base RAF Fairford. British Prime Minister Andy Burnham added that strong indications point to Iran playing a part in the incident. Five men were arrested near the military installation in Gloucestershire and homes were evacuated before the suspects were released on bail. Police searched three vans near the base but found no explosives. The handling of the investigation has drawn questions from US officials following the release of the suspects.
Why it matters
The investigation centers on security at military facilities in the United Kingdom utilized by the United States. Five suspects were initially detained following a 999 call made by one of the individuals before their arrest. The decision by UK authorities to release the men on bail has sparked scrutiny from American leadership regarding the handling of the case. Additionally, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed Israel warned Britain of an Iranian-sponsored attack nearly a month prior.
What is confirmed
- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that a foreign actor was clearly involved in the suspected terror plot targeting RAF Fairford.
- British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said there are strong indications Iran was involved in the alleged plot.
- Five men arrested near RAF Fairford were later released on bail.
- Police searched three vans near the military base and found no explosives.
Still unconfirmed
- Israel warned Britain of an Iranian-sponsored attack on UK soil in early September according to Benjamin Netanyahu.
What to watch next
- Decisions by UK prosecutors on whether to formally charge the five bailed suspects
- Further disclosures from British and American intelligence regarding the alleged Iranian link
- Official responses from Iranian authorities addressing the accusations
confidence 95%Sources used for this update (22)
- BBC — Men held in major incident near RAF base as homes evacuated
- NPR — National security expert discusses alleged U.K. bomb plot
- WSJ — The U.K. Village Rattled by an Alleged Terror Plot Near a U.S. Air Base
- The New York Times — UK Villages That Host US Bombers Are Abuzz Over Possible Terrorist Plot
- The New York Times — Rubio Says Incident at UK Air Base RAF Fairford ‘Clearly Involved’ a Foreign Actor
- Fox News — Rubio confirms 'foreign actor' involved in UK terror plot
- ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos — UK air base 'terrorism' plot probe continues after suspects released on bail
- The Globe and Mail — Video: Five men arrested near U.S.-run air base in U.K. released on bail
- AP News — Questions surround counterterror probe into US air base after suspects were freed on bail
- CBS News — Trump and Rubio question U.K. handling of possible plot against air base after 5 men released on bail
- Yahoo — Trump and Rubio question U.K. handling of possible plot against air base
- MilitaryNews.com — 5 men arrested near a US-run air base are bailed as UK police probe whether there's a link to Iran
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