Trump Says RAF Fairford Suspects Wanted 'Big Damage' to 'Our Fort' as UK Releases Five Men on Bail

US President Donald Trump has criticised the UK's decision to release five men on bail after they were arrested near RAF Fairford over suspected explosives and terrorism offences. The men were released on Monday after extensive interviews and enquiries but remain under investigation, with counter-terrorism officers pursuing multiple lines of inquiry.

Speaking to reporters, Trump said he was 'surprised' the men had been released and claimed they had been seeking to cause 'big damage' to 'our fort,' though UK police have not substantiated this. He also suggested the incident could be connected to Iran but did not provide evidence, saying he did not want to discuss sensitive intelligence publicly.

The five British men, aged between 23 and 25 and based in London, were arrested early Sunday after police received a report about three suspicious vehicles near the base. They were initially arrested over suspected explosives offences before also being detained on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act.

Police Maintain Active Investigation

Counter Terrorism Policing said the five men remain under investigation and are subject to stringent bail conditions covering their movements and contact with others. Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor said officers were considering multiple lines of enquiry, including whether individuals may have been acting as proxies for, or knowingly or unknowingly working on behalf of, a foreign state.

Taylor stressed that the decision to release the men did not mean the investigation was over. The three vehicles have undergone extensive examination with military and forensic support as investigators continue their enquiries.

The arrests followed a 999 call from a local resident who reported suspicious vehicles travelling towards the airbase. Around 85 households in Whelford were evacuated as a precaution while bomb disposal teams examined the scene. Residents were later allowed to return.

Foreign Involvement Remains Unconfirmed

Foreign involvement is being examined, but no link to Iran has been established publicly.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the incident 'clearly involves the hands of a foreign actor' in an interview with Fox News, but did not disclose evidence for the claim. Counter Terrorism Policing said it was keeping an open mind and considering every possible angle.

Iran's Embassy in London rejected allegations linking Tehran to the arrests as 'unfounded and malicious'. Defence Secretary Wes Streeting also urged caution, saying he did not want to speculate while the investigation remained live.

Why RAF Fairford Matters

RAF Fairford has become particularly significant because it is used by US military aircraft for operations involving Iran. The UK Government previously gave the US permission to use the base for specific defensive operations against Iranian missile sites.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps also warned in July that bases used for operations against Iranian territory could be considered legitimate targets. That provides context for the heightened scrutiny of the incident, but does not establish a connection between Iran and the five suspects.

Trump's claim that the men intended to cause 'big damage' has not been publicly substantiated by UK authorities. Police have not disclosed what they believe the suspects intended to do or whether a foreign state was involved.

The five men remain on bail while counter-terrorism officers continue to examine the evidence and pursue further lines of enquiry.