Trump: Those detained near 'Fairford' were seeking to cause 'major damage'

“Reuters”: Insider source leans toward Iranian link in suspected terror plot

U.S. President Donald Trump said the five suspects detained by British authorities near RAF Fairford were seeking to cause “significant damage,” noting that they had been under investigation and surveillance by U.S. and British authorities for some time.

Trump described their arrest as “wonderful,” praising the cooperation between the United States and Britain that led to their apprehension.

In a related development, Reuters quoted an insider familiar with the investigation as saying that an Iran-related motive is the most likely scenario, while other possibilities, including a Russian sabotage operation or an Islamist plot, are also being examined. British police have not yet identified the party they believe is involved.

Meanwhile, ITV News reported that counter-terrorism police are investigating whether the suspected plot is linked to Iran, and that one line of inquiry is examining the possibility that representatives of the Iranian regime paid individuals to carry out the plot on their behalf.

British police had arrested five men near RAF Fairford on suspicion of offenses related to explosives and preparing for a terrorist act, after receiving reports of three suspicious vehicles heading toward the base. Counter-terrorism police confirmed that the investigation is still in its early stages, while explosives experts continue to examine the vehicles.