London, Sept 28. (PA Media/dpa/GNA) – Iran “categorically rejects” it had any involvement in the suspected bomb plot on a British air base, its London embassy said on Monday.
The embassy condemned what it described as “unfounded and malicious speculations” about a potential link between Tehran and the arrest of five suspects in the vicinity of the RAF Fairford base in Gloucestershire, which houses US bombers.
The suspects arrested are all British nationals aged in their 20s and from London.
In its statement, the Iranian embassy said: “The embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in London categorically rejects and strongly condemns the recent unfounded and malicious speculations published by some British individuals and media outlets, attempting to link Iran to arrest of five suspects in the vicinity of RAF Fairford base. “The circulation of such fabricated speculations, particularly in the aftermath of the criminal acts of aggression committed by the United States and the Israeli regime against the Iranian people, will serve no purpose other than to fuel Iranophobia propaganda in the UK.”
A villager in Whelford dialled 999, after she saw three vans and a group of masked men near the base, and dozens of homes had to be evacuated as bomb disposal teams were called in.
On Monday, Counter-Terrorism Policing (CTP) said multiple new lines of inquiry have emerged, after investigators were working at the scene overnight. The five suspects are being held under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act, and officers have been granted an initial extension until later today to hold them in custody.
They are a 24-year-old from Camden, north London; three men aged 23, 24 and 25 from Westminster, and one aged 24 from Willesden, north-west London. The local farmer who spotted the vans and a group of masked men, initially called the Ministry of Defence police but there was no answer, so called 999 at 1.36am, and armed police arrived around 10 minutes later.
She said the police had “dropped the ball”, telling journalists: “Who knew that a farmer would have to roll their sleeves up and report the activity?”
On Sunday, US President Donald Trump, told reporters the suspects were looking to “do big damage/”
Aerial footage showed a bomb disposal robot, spending hours inspecting three white vans, two of which had open rear doors. Large black barrels appeared to be scattered around.
A 400-metre cordon was erected, and 85 evacuated households were unable to return home overnight.
Cotswold District Council was seeking accommodation for some.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the incident was “deeply concerning” and the government would “always take every step necessary” to protect people.
Investigators will now be working to analyse any devices seized from those arrested to establish details of any plot and any potential motivation.
GNA