Trump ‘surprised’ 5 men released in UK bomb plotting probe

President Trump said Monday he was “surprised” that British authorities released on bail the five men arrested a day prior in connection with a possible terrorist attack at a U.K. air base operated by the U.S. military.

“I would’ve said don’t let them have bail. … I’m surprised that they released them. I wouldn’t have done that,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.

All five men, identified as British nationals in their 20s from London, were arrested Sunday on explosives and terror charges near RAF Fairford air base in southern England after three vans were spotted outside the military installation.

But British authorities announced Monday the men had been released on bail even as they remain under investigation.

Laurence Taylor, the head of Britain’s counterterrorism police, told reporters that detectives were investigating the incident “from every possible angle, including that this may be actively committed by proxies or individuals, either knowingly or unknowingly, working on behalf of a foreign state.”

He did not say whether investigators had found explosives in any of the three vans and did not take questions.

Trump on Sunday insisted Washington and London had worked together in arresting the suspects, who he said had been “under view for a long time” and intended to do “big damage” to the air base.

On Monday the president repeated those claims that the U.K. worked with the U.S. “very closely” in apprehending the men and that “we know everything about them,” even as British authorities said the suspects were arrested after a farmer called police over suspicious vehicles near the base late Saturday night.

Asked if the incident was connected to Iran, Trump replied, “Might be,” but he declined to elaborate.

Iran has denied its involvement in the incident, releasing a statement through its London Embassy saying it “categorically rejects and strongly condemns the recent unfounded and malicious speculations” around the event.

American B-52 and B-1 bombers have taken off from RAF Fairford for missions to Iran since the U.S. and Israel’s joint war began there in February.

Tehran has repeatedly threatened countries that aid Washington in the conflict, adding to speculation as to whether the country has anything to do with the suspicious activity around Fairford.

All of this comes as Trump has sought an off-ramp to the deeply unpopular Iran war, now in its seventh month with no clear end in sight. The conflict has driven up energy costs, with the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway for the oil industry, closed amid the fighting.

Trump said Saturday he’s rejected Iran’s recent seven-day proposal to reopen the strait and enter a ceasefire and is considering renewed military strikes against the country after the midterm elections in November.

In the Oval Office, Trump said the U.S. had spoken with Iran through mediators Monday but declined to say what was discussed.