British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has alleged Iran involvement in the security incident at a US-run military air base in England, saying it was “almost certainly” directed by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, the Associated Press reported.
A major security scare was reported last month at the RAF Fairford base in western England after three white vans were discovered near the base. Following this, five men, all London-based Britons in their mid-20s, were arrested and later released on bail.
Burnham had made the allegation earlier as well, a speculation which drew a strong and angry reply from Iran.
Speaking to the BBC, Burnham stated there were "strong indications" that Iran played a role in the incident, but did not provide more details.
The newly appointed UK PM added that they are working in close coordination with the United States in the investigation.
"There are strong indications that Iran played a part in what happened over the weekend at RAF Fairford, but of course it remains an ongoing, complex and serious police investigation," Burnham was quoted as saying.
The United States had alleged the hand of a “foreign actor” in the incident, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio claiming “what could have happened in the UK over the weekend is a very serious situation”, Fox News reported.
{{/usCountry}}The United States had alleged the hand of a “foreign actor” in the incident, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio claiming “what could have happened in the UK over the weekend is a very serious situation”, Fox News reported.
{{/usCountry}}The incident came to light when a local farmer called the police at the airbase, located 90 miles (145 km) west of London, saying she had seen three large white vans parked near the base and a group of “hooded and masked men” running into a field nearby, Reuters reported.
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Armed officers from the Gloucestershire Police responded to the call and arrested five men in the Whelford area, nearly a mile from the base. Some media also reported that the men could even be fuel thieves. Aerial footage of the vans flagged by the farmer showed they appeared to contain barrels, with at least one marked with a fake logo and phone number, giving false impression of it being owned by a legitimate diesel delivery firm, according to AFP.
However, the firm, in a statement on its website, said “neither the vehicle nor any of the individuals involved has any connection whatsoever with Fuel2U”, while adding that it was cooperating with the police in the investigation into the incident.
The twist in the case came when British news outlets reported that police found no traces of explosives at the site and in vehicles seized there.
While fingers were pointed at Iran from the beginning of the probe, it had vehemently denied any involvement in the case