Trump criticises UK over release of five men arrested near US military base

US President Donald Trump said on Monday that British police should not have bailed the five men arrested near a US-used air base over a suspected bomb plot.

Trump added the case “could be” linked to Iran, but refused to give details.

“I am surprised they released them, I would not have done that,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office, adding that British authorities had worked “very closely” with the United States.

“We know all about them. We would not have released them,” he added.

The five men were arrested on Sunday morning near the Royal Air Force (RAF) base at Fairford in southwestern England, from which American bombers have taken off to target Iran since March.

British counter-terrorism police announced on Monday that the five men, all British based in London, in their 20s, had been bailed and that officers were investigating whether a “foreign state” might be involved.

Asked whether the case was linked to Iran, Trump answered: “It could be.”

Pressed for details, Trump said: “I would prefer not to. I mean, I know the answer, I could be very specific, but I prefer not to say it. I would not have released them.”

Meanwhile, Iran has denied involvement in any plot targeting the base.