Trump surprised after U.K. releases men detained near base used by U.S. forces

President Donald Trump has said he was surprised after U.K.police released on bail five men who had been arrested in connection with a huge security operation near an air base used by the U.S.

Air Force to facilitate strikes on Iran.Later, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the incident “clearly involves the hands of a foreign actor” — an allegation that British officials have not confirmed.“I would have said, ‘Don’t let them have bail,’” Trump said in the Oval Office Monday.

“I’m surprised that they released them, I wouldn’t have done that.”Trump also indicated U.S.officials were cooperating well with their British counterparts on the case.

“Look, they’ve been very good.They are working with us very closely,” he said, adding that the U.S.

knew “everything” about the bailed suspects.Armed police at a checkpoint near RAF Fairford in southwest England on Tuesday.Ben Birchall / PA via Getty ImagesThe five men, all U.K.

nationals in their 20s from London, were arrested Sunday on suspicion of terrorism and explosives offenses after three vehicles were seen moving toward RAF Fairford, a Royal Air Force station about 90 minutes west of London.Counterterrorism police took over the case after a major incident was declared, disrupting life in the normally quiet rural community of the Cotswolds.

On Monday, British counterterrorism officials running the operation said the men have been released on bail after “extensive interviews and inquiries.” The investigation was not over, however, the head of Counter Terrorism Policing, Laurence Taylor, said, and “multiple lines of inquiry” were still being probed.No charges have been filed against the men.Taylor said the three vans that the suspects were travelling in before the arrests have been “subject to extensive examination with the support of military assets and forensic experts.” He did not say if any explosives have been found during the searches, as the question remains abou...