President Donald Trump said he was surprised that British police released five men on bail after their arrest near a U.S.-used airbase.
The men were arrested near RAF Fairford in southwest England over a suspected plot involving the military facility.
British counter-terrorism police released the suspects on bail while the investigation continues. They remain under investigation for alleged terrorism and explosives-related offences.
Trump said he would not have released the men.
“I’m surprised that they released them,” Trump told reporters at the White House.
Trump Raises Possible Iran Connection
Trump also suggested that Iran could potentially be connected to the case.
Asked whether the suspected plot was linked to Iran, Trump replied, “It might be.”
However, he declined to provide details about what he knew.
Trump said the United States had information about the suspects but chose not to disclose it publicly.
British authorities have not publicly established an Iranian connection. Iran’s embassy in London has denied any involvement in the incident.
Rubio Says Foreign Actor May Be Involved
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also addressed the incident.
Rubio said the case “clearly involves the hands of a foreign actor,” while declining to provide further details.
He described the incident as serious and said authorities had responded appropriately.
His comments came as British investigators continued examining whether a foreign state played a role.
UK counter-terrorism officials have said they are investigating several possible lines of inquiry rather than attributing the incident to a specific country.
Five Men Arrested Near RAF Fairford
The five suspects are British men in their early 20s who are based in London.
Police arrested them after a local farmer reported suspicious activity involving three white vans near the airbase.
The arrests took place early Sunday near RAF Fairford.
Authorities initially investigated suspected explosives offences before treating the case as preparation of a terrorist act.
No viable explosives were found, according to Reuters.
RAF Fairford Used by US Forces
RAF Fairford is a British military base that hosts U.S. forces.
The base has strategic importance because American bombers have used it for operations in the Middle East.
The arrests therefore prompted heightened security around the facility.
Nearby residents were temporarily evacuated as police investigated the incident, while the area around the base was cordoned off.
Investigation Remains Ongoing
The release on bail does not mean the investigation has ended.
British authorities said the suspects remain under investigation and face restrictions while officers continue gathering evidence.
Counter-terrorism chief Laurence Taylor said investigators were examining whether a foreign state or proxies could have been involved.
However, authorities have not publicly confirmed the identity of any alleged foreign actor.
Iran Denies Involvement
Iran has rejected suggestions that it was connected to the suspected plot.
Iran’s embassy in London denied any involvement and criticized what it described as speculation linking Tehran to the arrests.
For now, the Trump UK airbase suspects case remains under investigation in Britain.
The possible foreign-state connection remains an area of inquiry rather than an established finding.
