Petrol but no explosives found in suspect vehicles near UK air base

UK police say no explosives found after five arrested over suspected air base plot In short: UK counterterrorism police say they found petrol but no explosives in suspect vehicles close to RAF Fairford. It comes after five men were arrested, and later released, on terrorism and explosives charges earlier this week. The air base has been used by US bombers, including during this year's war with Iran. UK police investigating an alleged bomb plot at the US-operated air force base RAF Fairford have said that no explosives have been found in suspect vehicles near the site. Counterterrorism police on Sunday, local time, arrested five male suspects, all British nationals in their 20s from London, on explosives and terrorism charges after a local resident raised the alarm about suspicious activity. They were released on bail a day later. The base has been used by American bombers during decades of conflicts in the Middle East, including this year's war with Iran. Counterterror detectives have said they were investigating "multiple lines of inquiry", including whether the suspects had a link to Iran. Iran has denied involvement. The head of UK Counter Terrorism Policing, Laurence Taylor, stressed that the suspects face stringent conditions and "absolutely remain under investigation". Mr Taylor has said that no explosives were found in three vans found near the base, but an amount of petrol was found. US President Donald Trump told reporters on Monday, local time, that he was surprised that police had released the suspects on bail. "I wouldn't have done that," Mr Trump said. Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Fox News the case "clearly involves the hands of a foreign actor" but did not name a specific country or give more details. "I know a lot of people are disturbed by the news that some of these people have been released on bail as some of the people are being investigated," he added. Mr Taylor, the counterterror chief, said the bailed suspects "must adhere to very strict conditions". "I understand why this development was surprising to some, but I would like to reiterate that this is an investigative decision, and one which is grounded in experience and strategy," he said. Iran denies involvement A police cordon remained in place around three vans found close to the Fairford base on Tuesday as armed police and counterterrorism officers continued to examine the scene. A local farmer said she called police after seeing the vans blocking a road near the air base as she drove home in the early hours of Sunday. She said she came across a group of men nearby, some with their faces covered, and that the men ran away when they saw her vehicle. Army bomb-disposal experts used a robot to examine the vans. Mr Taylor said "a quantity of petrol was recovered" from the vans, but no explosives. Mr Taylor said lines of inquiry include whether the suspected offences were committed by "proxies or individuals, either knowingly or unknowingly, working on behalf of a foreign state". Investigators have not concluded whether the incident was state-backed or what the motive was, but authorities have strongly hinted that Iran is possibly involved. They are also investigating a possible link to Russia or non-state militant groups. RAF Fairford has also been the focus of protests by anti-war campaigners. Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said the UK "shouldn't be cowed by sabre rattling from Iran", adding that "the Iranian regime is one that wishes harm to our country, our allies, and the freedom and democracy that we enjoy". The Iranian embassy denied the country's involvement in the suspected plot. ABC/wires