Five men arrested near the Royal Air Force (RAF) Fairford base in Gloucestershire on suspicion of terrorism offences have been released on police bail, counter-terror police announced on Monday. The group, all UK nationals in their 20s from London, were initially detained under the Explosives Act and subsequently arrested on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act.

The arrests followed a major incident declared early Sunday morning after police were alerted to three suspicious vehicles in the village of Whelford, located directly east of the airbase. The incident led to dozens of homes being evacuated as a precaution. Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) confirmed that the investigation is exploring multiple lines of inquiry, including the possibility that proxies or individuals working on behalf of a foreign state may be involved.

Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, head of Counter Terrorism Policing, stated that the three vehicles have undergone extensive examination with the support of military assets and forensic experts. He emphasized that officers are considering the incident from every possible angle. The five men, aged between 23 and 25, are subject to stringent conditions on their movement and contact with others while the investigation continues. Three reside in Westminster, one in Camden, and another in Willesden.

A farmer who reported the suspicious vehicles described seeing a large group of hooded and masked men who fled when she discovered them. She immediately contacted the Ministry of Defence police at RAF Fairford but received no answer, subsequently calling the emergency services. She believes her timely 999 call may have disrupted any potential plans.

The Prime Minister chaired a Cobra meeting on Monday afternoon to discuss the incident, urging the public not to speculate while authorities establish the full facts. The Iranian embassy in London issued a statement categorically rejecting and condemning what it termed "unfounded and malicious speculations" linking Iran to the event, asserting such claims serve only to fuel "Iranophobia propaganda."

The embassy further stated that Iran reserves the right to take appropriate legal measures to safeguard its rights and interests in response to misleading media narratives. The RAF Fairford base has a long history of use by the U.S. Air Force (USAF) as a forward operating location. In recent months, U.S. bombers have deployed from the base for missions in the Middle East, following approval from the UK for such use.

While the men have been released on bail, the investigation remains active. The nature of the potential foreign state involvement remains a key area of focus for CTP. The prompt response from the public and law enforcement in securing the area and detaining the suspects highlights the ongoing vigilance against potential threats.

Authorities are expected to provide further updates as the investigation progresses. The incident underscores the sensitive security considerations surrounding critical military infrastructure and the complex international dimensions that can arise in such cases.