Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel warned the UK that Iran was plotting an attack inside the country, appearing to link the warning to the arrest of five men outside RAF Fairford earlier this week.
Netanyahu was asked about the “recent scare” during an interview with Fox News on Wednesday. “We gave the Brits the intel, that there was going to be an attack, and it’s an Iranian-sponsored attack,” the Israeli leader said.
On Sunday, five British men were arrested near the air base on suspicion of terrorism and explosives offenses. Authorities have not determined the suspects’ motive or whether they were acting on behalf of a foreign state, but investigators are examining potential links to Iran, Russia, or non-state groups. The US has used RAF Fairford for operations in the war against Iran.
President Donald Trump touted the arrest, claiming the group was being monitored before their capture. “Working with Britain, it was an amazing job,” Trump told reporters Sunday morning. “We had them under investigation. They were looking to do big damage to our fort, and working with the British worked out great, and we got them.”
Despite the serious allegations, police released the men on bail Monday. Police initially received a call early Sunday morning alerting authorities to “three suspicious vehicles.” Authorities said in a statement the men were arrested “on suspicion of committing offenses under the Explosives Act” and “on suspicion of preparation of a terrorist act, contrary to section 5 of the Terrorism Act.”
On Wednesday, UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said, “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.” However, the men remain out on bail.
Iran denies any involvement in the incident.
Netanyahu also slammed the UK for placing export restrictions on West Bank settlements shortly after he passed the warning to London. “And pretty much the next day they slap sanctions on us.” He continued, “It’s wild, the caving in, the collapse before the Islamist-Marxist alliance is very dangerous for the future of the West.”
