Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Fox News that Israel supplied Britain with intelligence indicating an attack would occur near a UK military base and that Iran supported it. His account follows Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s assertion that there were “strong indications that Iran played a part” in the incident near RAF Fairford, which US bombers have used for operations against Iran.

The Wall Street Journal reported, citing an official familiar with the intelligence, that a branch of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard recruited British nationals for an operation involving a diversion near Fairford. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi rejected Burnham’s allegation, pointing to the suspects’ release on bail. “I can confirm Iran's belief that releasing supposed terrorists working for foreign states really says it all,” he said. “You're barking up the wrong tree.”

Five British men aged 23 to 25 who live in London were arrested Sunday on suspicion of explosives offences and preparing a terrorist act, then released Monday. Police found petrol but no improvised explosive devices in three vehicles. The men remain under investigation with restrictions on their movements and contacts. Burnham defended the releases, saying the suspects faced “the strictest possible bail conditions” and that British officials had explained the circumstances to US counterparts.