UK police probe Iranian, Russian links to airbase plot

British police were questioning five men on suspicion of explosives and terrorism offences, while a source familiar with the investigation said an Iranian-linked motive was considered the most likely, with a Russian sabotage operation and an Islamist plot also being considered.

Police detained them near RAF Fairford in the early hours of Sunday after receiving a report that three large white vans had been seen heading towards the military airfield in western England, an airbase used by the US to strike Iran, Caliber.Az reports, citing Reuters.

US President Donald Trump stated that the suspects had been looking to do "big damage" and had been under investigation by British and US authorities. A local farmer, however, said she had alerted police after seeing a group of "hooded and masked men" running into nearby fields.

Defence Minister Wes Streeting told BBC News that he would not speculate about the motives involved in an ongoing investigation.

However, speaking about the broader threat from Iran, he said: "We know that Iran and their proxies wish to do us harm. We know that they hate our democracy, and we know that we regularly have to thwart Iranian attempts to threaten either our interests or indeed our allies."

In May, Britain sanctioned 12 individuals and entities linked to Iran, accusing them of involvement in hostile activity, including plotting attacks and providing financial services to groups seeking to destabilise the UK and other countries.

Iran has repeatedly denied involvement in attacks or plots in the UK and elsewhere.

The British government had authorised the US to use bombers based at Fairford to strike Iranian missile sites that were attacking ships in the Strait of Hormuz.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham was being regularly updated on the incident and cancelled at least two events at the Labour Party's annual conference on September 27.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards warned Britain in July not to allow US bombers to operate from Fairford, saying any base used to launch attacks would be a legitimate target.

Police imposed a 400-metre cordon around the base and evacuated residents from 85 homes. A bomb disposal robot was seen operating around the three white vans on Sunday as security was tightened in the area.

Armed police guarded the main entrance, while large machinery was used to block other access points. Security was also increased at other US bases in Britain.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov