British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said Wednesday there are “strong indications” that Iran was involved in the suspicious activity near RAF Fairford that triggered a major security response over the weekend.

The airbase in southwest England is used by the U.S. military for operations against Iran. Five British men were arrested Sunday on suspicion of explosives and terrorism offenses after three white vans appeared to approach the base in the early morning hours.

“There are strong indications that Iran played a part in what happened over the weekend at RAF Fairford,” Burnham said, stressing that the case remains an “ongoing, complex, and serious police investigation.”

In a separate interview, Burnham said authorities had waited before publicly addressing the suspected connection.

“We have been waiting to confirm what we could say, but we can now confirm our belief that Iran played a part,” he said.

Iran’s embassy in London denied involvement, saying it “categorically rejects and strongly condemns” the accusations.

Significant questions remain about the incident. Police said Tuesday that no explosives were found in the vehicles, although investigators recovered a “quantity of petrol.” All five suspects were released on bail after extensive questioning.

Officials have not publicly explained the precise nature of the suspected threat.

A nearby resident who contacted police reported seeing masked men near the vans, which were blocking a road in a village adjoining the base. A subsequent report said one of the suspects had called police before the group was apprehended.

President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio previously indicated that intelligence agencies had been aware of the suspects and that a foreign state could be involved.

Britain had authorized the United States to use RAF Fairford for defensive strikes against Iran. Tehran previously warned London against allowing British military bases to support American operations.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)