File: A United States Air Force B-52 Stratofortress strategic bomber takes off from RAF Fairford March 19, 2026 in Fairford, England. Leon Neal | Getty ImagesCounter-terrorism police are investigating whether people “working on behalf of a foreign state” were behind an alleged bomb threat against a UK base housing the US Air Force, as Iran denied speculation it was involved. British police arrested five men on Sunday near RAF Fairford in western England on suspicion of explosives and terrorism offences. They were released on bail on Monday. Laurence Taylor, head of counter-terrorism policing at London’s Metropolitan Police, said at a news conference that officers were investigating whether the foiled attack was the work of “representatives or individuals, whether knowingly or unknowingly, working on behalf of a foreign state.” Airstrikes against the Islamic Republic were a legitimate objective. Iranian Ambassador Seyed Ali Mousavi has previously said that allowing US bombers to launch from the Fairford base was an “important issue for our self-defense.” The Iranian embassy in London said Monday that it “categorically” rejects and “strongly condemns” speculation linking the country to the alleged plot. The US and the Israeli regime against the Iranian people will only serve to fuel Iranophobia propaganda in the UK. Meanwhile, UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham described the incident as “deeply worrying” and said his government was taking “all necessary measures” to protect communities and keep the country safe. “The investigation is ongoing and I urge people not to speculate while authorities establish all the facts,” Burnham said Sunday in a social media post. Talks between the United States and Iran appeared to end in a stalemate, with US President Donald Trump rejecting Tehran’s conditional offer to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. However, Trump told Axios in a phone interview on Sunday that he expected U.S. negotiators to engage in more talks this week. Oil prices rose sharply on Monday morning. International benchmark Brent crude futures expiring in November rose 3.8% to $108.32 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures rose 3.9% to $95.99.
