RUBIO SAYS “HANDS OF A FOREIGN ACTOR” WERE INVOLVED IN RAF FAIRFORD SECURITY INCIDENT

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said the suspected security incident near RAF Fairford in Britain involved the hands of a foreign actor, adding a significant new dimension to an investigation that has already resulted in five British men being arrested on suspicion of explosives and terrorism offenses.

Rubio made the remarks during an interview with Fox News as British authorities continued investigating the incident near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire.

The airbase has strategic importance because it has been used by the United States for military operations against Iran.

Rubio described what happened near the base as an extremely serious situation and said foreign involvement was clear from the information available to US officials.

However, he declined to identify the foreign actor or disclose the intelligence supporting his assessment.

British authorities have so far adopted a more cautious public position.

Counter Terrorism Policing says investigators are examining whether the incident could have involved proxies or individuals knowingly or unknowingly working on behalf of a foreign state.

Police have not publicly concluded that a particular government was responsible.

FIVE BRITISH MEN REMAIN UNDER INVESTIGATION

Five British nationals in their early 20s from London were arrested early Sunday after police received reports concerning three suspicious vehicles traveling toward RAF Fairford.

They were initially arrested on suspicion of offenses under the Explosives Act and were subsequently arrested on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act under Section 5 of the Terrorism Act.

The vehicles underwent extensive examination involving forensic specialists and military assets.

A source familiar with the investigation told Reuters that the three large white vans associated with the men did not contain viable explosives.

The five suspects were subsequently released on police bail.

British counterterrorism officials have stressed that their release does not mean they have been cleared.

The men remain under active investigation and are subject to stringent restrictions governing their movements and contact with other people.

RUBIO SAYS FOREIGN ACTOR INVOLVED

Rubio's comments go further than the position publicly announced by British investigators.

The Secretary of State said what happened and what could have happened in Britain over the weekend represented a very serious security situation.

He then said it clearly involved the hands of a foreign actor.

Rubio did not name Iran or any other country as responsible.

He also said there were details he could not discuss publicly.

His comments suggest US officials may have information concerning the investigation that has not yet been made public.

However, without disclosure of that evidence, Rubio's assertion remains the stated assessment of the US Secretary of State rather than a publicly demonstrated conclusion of the British investigation.

IRAN DENIES INVOLVEMENT

Attention has inevitably turned toward Iran because RAF Fairford has been used by US forces during military operations against the country.

President Donald Trump previously said the incident might be connected to Iran.

Trump did not present evidence establishing Iranian responsibility.

Iran has rejected suggestions that it was involved.

The Iranian Embassy in London has denied any connection to the RAF Fairford incident and condemned speculation linking Tehran to the case.

British investigators have not publicly identified Iran as responsible.

BRITISH POLICE EXAMINING POSSIBLE PROXIES

Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, head of Counter Terrorism Policing, said investigators are approaching the incident from every possible angle.

That includes examining whether individuals could have been acting as proxies for another country.

Taylor said investigators were considering the possibility that individuals may have been knowingly or unknowingly working on behalf of a foreign state.

Police are also examining whether the wider geopolitical situation has any connection to the incident.

The investigation remains active.

EMERGENCY SECURITY RESPONSE

The incident prompted a major security operation around RAF Fairford.

Nearby residents were evacuated, roads were closed and significant police and military resources were deployed around the airbase.

British authorities also held an emergency meeting of senior officials as they assessed the threat and wider security implications.

Security around RAF Fairford was increased as investigators continued examining the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The base is particularly sensitive because of its role supporting US military operations.

Western governments have also warned in recent years about foreign states using proxies or criminal networks to conduct hostile activities abroad.

RUBIO'S CLAIM RAISES THE STAKES

If British investigators ultimately establish that a foreign government directed or supported activity targeting RAF Fairford, the case would move beyond a domestic terrorism investigation into the territory of alleged state sponsored hostile activity.

Such a finding could have serious diplomatic and security consequences.

For now, however, that conclusion has not been publicly established by British investigators.

Rubio says a foreign actor was involved.

British counterterrorism police say foreign state involvement is being investigated.

Trump has suggested the incident might involve Iran.

Iran denies any involvement.

The five British suspects remain on bail and under investigation.

The central unanswered question is now whether investigators can establish who, if anyone, was directing the alleged activity and whether evidence supports Rubio's assertion that a foreign actor was behind it.