Embassy Rejects ‘Baseless’ Claims Linking Iran to UK Base Arrests
LONDON -- The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in London categorically rejected and strongly condemned on Monday recent unfounded and malicious speculations published by some British individuals and media outlets attempting to link Iran to the 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,” the embassy said in a statement.
The Islamic Republic of Iran reserves the right to take appropriate legal measures, as necessary, to safeguard the rights and interests of the country and its people in response to misleading and damaging media narratives, the statement added.
British counter-terrorism police said the five detained men are British nationals from London, aged between 20 and 29. They were allegedly arrested early Sunday in the Welford area near RAF Fairford after officers received a report around 4:45 a.m. of three suspicious vehicles moving toward the base, and armed police were deployed to the scene.
The five men were initially arrested on suspicion of explosives-related offenses and subsequently on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act, with counter-terrorism police leading the investigation.
Police cordoned off an area with a 400-metre radius while examining the vehicles, and about 85 households were evacuated as a precautionary measure.
Emphasizing that the investigation remains at an early stage, the force urged the public to refrain from speculation and to follow information through official channels.
RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire is a key hub for the deployment and operations of U.S. air forces in Europe, and American bombers have used it for military aggression against Iran. The use of the base for operations against Iran has previously drawn protests from anti-war campaigners in Britain and gatherings around the facility.