Rubio Says ‘Foreign Actor’ Behind Fairford Airbase Plot as Iran Denies Involvement

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said “the hands of a foreign actor” were involved in the suspected terror plot near RAF Fairford in western England, the most direct claim yet from Washington about the weekend incident, according to Reuters.

Speaking to Fox News’ “Hannity” programme late on Monday, Rubio described the case as a very serious situation. “What happened, what almost happened, what could have happened in the UK over the weekend is a very serious situation. It’s one that clearly involves the hands of a foreign actor,” he said, declining to give further details.

Rubio pointed toward Iran, saying Washington was dealing with “elements in the world, and in the case of Iran for example, who have openly threatened to attack American interests globally.” Iran has strongly denied any involvement, according to Reuters.

Five British nationals in their early 20s from London were arrested in the early hours of Sunday after a farmer reported three white vans parked near the base, from which US B-1 bombers have been flying missions against Iran. British police declared a major incident and the government held an emergency meeting.

A source told Reuters the vans did not contain viable explosives, and the police response was not intelligence-led — though security at the base had been beefed up beforehand. The five men were released on bail on Monday under stringent conditions, prompting criticism from President Donald Trump, who said “I wouldn’t have done that” and suggested the plot “might be” connected to Iran.

Sources

• Reuters
• CNN