Israel Says It Warned Britain of Iran-Backed Bomb Plot at Key US Airbase
Prime Minister Andy Burnham says Britain believes Tehran had a hand in a foiled plot near RAF Fairford, the air base that supports U.S. strikes on Iran — a claim Israel's Netanyahu says he tipped off personally.
LONDON — British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said Wednesday that investigators believe Iran played a role in a foiled plot targeting RAF Fairford, the Royal Air Force base in Gloucestershire that the United States has used to stage bomber missions tied to its standoff with Tehran.
Five British men in their 20s, all from London, were arrested on suspicion of terrorism and explosives offenses on Sunday after police said three vehicles were spotted moving toward the base. NBC News reported that bomb disposal units were called to the scene before the men were taken into custody. All five were later released on bail without charges, pending further investigation.
The incident has rattled a base long associated with American air power: RAF Fairford has hosted B-52 bombers and U-2 spy planes and has featured prominently in U.S. contingency planning around Iran.
Netanyahu Says Israel Gave the Tip
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu added a startling claim to the story, saying Israeli intelligence had alerted British authorities before the men were arrested. "We gave the Brits the intel that there was going to be an attack, and it's an Iranian-sponsored attack," Netanyahu said, according to Fox News, though he did not elaborate on the evidence behind the claim.
"THERE ARE STRONG INDICATIONS TEHRAN PLAYED A PART."
Burnham, speaking Wednesday, stopped short of a formal accusation but said strong indications pointed to Iranian involvement. Iran has denied any role in the incident, and no formal charges have tied any suspect to a foreign government, according to CBS News's coverage of the arrests and subsequent bail release.
The episode lands amid an already tense standoff: President Trump has said a decision on further action against Iran is coming "very soon," even as both governments have floated competing proposals over reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Security officials in Britain have called the foiled plot a signal that American military infrastructure in Europe may be facing a wider campaign of threats.
No trial date or formal charges have been announced. British counterterrorism police say the investigation remains active and are continuing to question those released on bail as part of the inquiry.