US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on September 28 that the “hands of a foreign actor” were involved in a suspected plot targeting Royal Air Force (RAF) Fairford, a British air base used by the US military. Rubio described the alleged threat as “very serious,” but did not identify the foreign actor.
Five British men, aged between 23 and 25, were arrested near the base in western England early on September 27 after police received reports of three suspicious vans. They were arrested on suspicion of explosives offenses and preparing a terrorist act, but were released on bail the following day under strict conditions while the investigation continues.
British counterterrorism police say they are examining whether the men may have been acting, knowingly or unknowingly, on behalf of a foreign state. However, UK authorities have not confirmed any foreign involvement. President Donald Trump has suggested the suspects “might be” connected to Iran, while Iran has strongly denied any role in the incident.
RAF Fairford has been used by US B-1 bombers for operations against Iran, making the incident particularly sensitive amid ongoing tensions between Washington and Tehran.
Today’s hostilities are the latest chapter in decades of political conflict. Click through to understand how relations between the US and Iran reached this point.