Rubio Blames 'Foreign Actor' for Apparent Plot at UK Base

Days after five men were arrested near a UK military base on terror charges, much remains unclear about what unfolded. The US uses the base for bombing runs against Iran, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the US is taking it seriously. "What happened, what almost happened, what could have happened in the UK over the weekend is a very serious situation," Rubio told Fox News Monday night. "It's one that clearly involves the hands of a foreign actor." However, he declined to elaborate. The men were arrested early Sunday near RAF Fairford on suspicion of explosives offenses and preparing a terrorist act after locals alerted police. But in a surprise move, all five were released on bail Monday, suggesting evidence was scant, per the New York Times.

Reuters, meanwhile, quotes a source familiar with the investigation who says the three white vans seized did not contain what the outlet calls "viable explosives." In his interview, Rubio floated Iran as the type of country capable of a terror plot against a foreign base, though he did not name it as responsible. Iran has denied any connection, and British Prime Minister Andy Burnham urged people to avoid speculation. President Trump told reporters Monday that the incident "might be" connected to Iran, adding that he was surprised the men were released on bail. "I wouldn't have done that," he said.