The hypothesis of an Iranian connection to a suspected bomb plot near an air base used by US forces in Britain is subject to intense investigations led by counter-terrorism police, in conjunction with the arrest of five men and the examination of three trucks suspected of containing explosives.
The British newspaper “The Telegraph” reported that investigators are studying several hypotheses, most notably possible Iranian involvement, in addition to other possibilities related to acts of sabotage linked to Russia or extremist motives.
The newspaper quoted informed sources as saying that the hypothesis of a connection to Iran is currently most likely, with suspicion of direct involvement of Iranian elements without just working through agents. However, the British authorities have not officially resolved this hypothesis or confirmed the involvement of any party so far.
The security operation was launched following a report received by the police at approximately 12:45 after midnight on Sunday regarding three suspicious vehicles heading towards Fairford Air Base located in the county of Gloucestershire, southwest of England, and not based on prior intelligence information.
Following the report, armed elements moved in and arrested five men in the nearby Wilford area. The Telegraph explained that the detainees are currently being held on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act, after they were initially arrested under the Explosives Law.
In the same context, Assistant Police Chief Richard Okon announced the evacuation of residents of 85 homes and imposed a security cordon around 400 meters around the vehicles as precautionary measures, while army ordnance and explosive disposal experts examined those vehicles.
So far, the official authorities have not announced that explosives were found inside the suspicious vehicles, leaving the nature of the plan and the party behind it under ongoing investigation.
The incident acquires extreme security sensitivity due to the importance of the Fairford base, which is a major location for American bomber operations in Europe. It should be noted that the British government had allowed the United States to use the base to carry out strikes against Iranian missile sites targeting ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard issued a warning last July, stressing that any base used in these strikes would be considered a “legitimate target,” while Britain stressed the readiness of its armed forces to protect the country’s security.
