UK Airbase Bomb Scare: No Explosives Reportedly Found as Five Suspects Released on Bail

FAIRFORD, England — Confusion has surrounded an investigation into a suspected bomb plot at a British airbase used by the United States military after media reports said no explosives were found in vehicles seized near the facility.

The five men arrested in connection with the incident were released on bail, prompting questions from Washington over the decision as security personnel maintained a cordon around a nearby village.

Three white vans were discovered near Royal Air Force (RAF) Fairford in southwest England on Sunday. The suspects, all London-based British men in their mid-20s, were subsequently arrested.

Armed police were seen patrolling the airfield on Tuesday. The base has been used by US aircraft involved in strikes against targets in Iran.

Police said officers had conducted an extensive examination of the vehicles with assistance from military personnel and forensic experts. However, authorities did not disclose the findings.

The Times and other British media outlets reported that investigators found no traces of explosives, raising questions about the initial fears of a potential attack.

A resident of nearby Kempsford, identified as Patricia, 60, told AFP the incident had caused embarrassment among locals.

“It was very embarrassing that people around the world thought it was a terrorist attack but in the end no — it’s a lot of noise for nothing,” she said.

UK Police Keep Investigation Open

Announcing the release of the five suspects on Monday, Laurence Taylor, head of UK Counter Terrorism Policing, said the men “absolutely remain under investigation.”

Taylor said investigators were keeping an “open mind” and examining “every possible angle,” including whether the suspects could have been acting as “proxies” for a foreign state, knowingly or otherwise.

Iran’s embassy in London has categorically rejected and condemned speculation linking Tehran to the incident.

The investigation drew attention from US President Donald Trump, who said on Monday he was “surprised” that British police had released the suspects.

“I wouldn’t have done that,” Trump said.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio later described the incident as “a very serious situation” that “clearly involves the hand of a foreign actor,” but declined to provide further details.

Trump had said on Sunday that British and American authorities had been investigating the suspects “for a long time” and alleged that they “were looking to do big damage to our fort.”

Suspicious Vans Triggered Police Response

The security scare became public after a farmer in Whelford, a village near the airbase, contacted police upon seeing three vans blocking a road and a group of masked men fleeing the scene.

The five men were arrested on suspicion of explosives offences and later on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act under anti-terrorism laws.

Security at RAF Fairford had reportedly been heightened in recent weeks.

Britain authorised the United States in March to use the base for “specific defensive operations into Iran” aimed at destroying Iranian missiles at their source.

US bombers and other aircraft have since been observed taking off from and landing at the facility, described as the only base on mainland Britain being used for that purpose.

The lack of clarity surrounding the incident has fuelled speculation, including unverified reports suggesting the men could have been involved in fuel theft.

A resident of Kempsford told AFP that the circumstances appeared unusual.

“It’s a bit odd they were here in the middle of the night,” she said.

“If they were true terrorists, they wouldn’t have released them,” she added, asking not to be named.

Aerial footage of the vans showed what appeared to be barrels inside. At least one vehicle reportedly carried a fake logo and telephone number, giving the impression it belonged to a legitimate diesel delivery company.

Fuel2U, the company whose identity was allegedly used, denied any connection to the vehicles or suspects.

“Neither the vehicle nor any of the individuals involved has any connection whatsoever with Fuel2U,” the company said in a statement, adding that it was cooperating with police.

The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities yet to publicly clarify the purpose of the vans or the circumstances surrounding the arrests.