Circuit Wire — a daily news update from the Circuit.
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said on Wednesday, September 30, that there are "strong indications" Iran played a part in the weekend incident near RAF Fairford, CBS News reported. He described the police investigation as ongoing, complex and serious. The five suspects have not been publicly identified.
Five British men, all in their mid-20s, were arrested near the Gloucestershire base early on Sunday, September 27, on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act, as we reported earlier this week. RAF Fairford is a British-owned base used by US forces, and American bombers have flown from it during the Iran conflict. Police released all five men on bail the following day, although counter-terrorism laws allowed them to be held for up to 14 days.
Searches of the three vehicles linked to the men found fuel and a number of large, mostly empty plastic drums. Officers did not find any explosives. Some local reports have pointed to possible fuel theft, but authorities have not confirmed that. Counter Terror Policing has said individuals can sometimes act for foreign states knowingly or unknowingly.
The Iranian Embassy in London rejected the claim and called it baseless. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also dismissed it, Fox News reported, and said the British government was looking in the wrong place.
In Washington, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the incident clearly involved a foreign actor, but he gave no further detail. President Donald Trump said US officials were studying the case closely, that he expected answers quickly, and that the suspects were caught early. Trump and Rubio both criticized the decision to release the men on bail so soon, according to CBS News.
Burnham framed the Iran link as an indication rather than a conclusion, and the police inquiry continues. As of Wednesday, officials had not released the names of the five men.
Want a weekly roundup of the major stories shaping the security industry? The On The Circuit newsletter is read by more than 12,000 protection professionals.
Spotted something we should cover? Send tips and feedback via circuit-magazine.com.