Anti-terrorist police defend the decision to release suspects on bail, Trump expresses surprise

The police also defended the decision to release the suspects on bail.

We can confirm that no improvised explosive devices were found. However, we found a quantity of a flammable substance - gasoline - and secured it for the purposes of the investigation, said the head of CTP, the anti-terrorist police, Laurence Taylor, in a statement to the media.

He added that the vehicles were carefully searched by military and forensic experts.

Anti-terrorist chief: Public safety is our priority

Taylor was referring to Monday's decision to release five men previously arrested in the case on bail. He admitted that he understood why "it was surprising to some," but added that it was an "investigative decision, based on the experience and strategy" of the investigators. Public safety is our priority, he added.

He also emphasized that for the sake of the investigation he cannot provide all the information, although he understands the public's concerns about the case, adding that they are "intensified by comments coming from abroad."

Trump surprised by the British decision

In turn, US President Donald Trump expressed surprise on Monday at the decision to release the five men. The head of US diplomacy, Marco Rubio, said on Monday on Fox News that "obviously" someone from abroad was involved in the event.

The American air force is using the British base in Fairford to attack Iranian missile launchers used to fire at ships in the Strait of Hormuz, and on Sunday the US president said that the alleged attackers wanted to "cause great damage". The police confirmed on Tuesday that they had reduced the cordon around the scene and expected to be able to remove it completely on Wednesday.