British police say no explosives found in vehicles near U.S.-run base
British police have released five men arrested near an RAF airbase used by the U.S. after finding no explosives. Authorities maintain the investigation is ongoing and that the decision to grant bail was a strategic investigative choice despite international scrutiny.
Why it matters
The incident highlights heightened geopolitical tensions involving U.S. military assets abroad and the complexities of counter-terrorism investigations in the UK.
Police confirmed Tuesday that no explosives were found in three vans linked to the suspects, and said the decision to grant bail was grounded in "experience and strategy."
U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters on Monday that he was surprised the five young British men who were arrested Sunday on suspicion of explosives and terrorism offences near the RAF Fairford airbase were freed a day later.
Did locals help thwart a terror plot in the U.K.? | About That
Also covering this story
13 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
Local representatives question official accounts after suspected bomb plot at RAF Fairford
How did the RAF Fairford incident go from 'suspected bomb plot' to police bail?
Watch: Were the RAF Fairford arrests 'pure luck'?
British men released on bail after suspected terror plot
Rubio says U.K. airbase incident involved a foreign state
Suspects in alleged UK air base terror plot bailed as police probe Iran link
Five men arrested at UK airbase released on bail
UK air base ‘terror plot’ foiled when one of the suspects phoned police: report
"Surprised": Trump After UK Releases Airbase Incident Terror Suspects On Bail
British police investigate if arrests near U.S. air base foiled an Iran-linked attack
US’s Marco Rubio says UK airbase incident involved ‘foreign actor’
No explosives found after arrests near a U.S.-run military base, British police say
Trump slams UK over release of suspects in alleged terror plot targeting US airbase
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in