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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claims Israeli intelligence tipped off Britain about an Iran-backed "murderous attack" planned against Royal Air Force (RAF) Fairford, helping prevent it, while accusing the British government of "appeasement."
"It was stopped. It was prevented," Netanyahu said during an interview with the Daily Mail, adding that without Israel's intelligence "it would probably have gone through and we don't know how many British lives would have been lost."
The claim comes as British police released on bail a dual U.K.-Iranian national arrested over the incident, and as Iran rejects any involvement. U.K. authorities have not publicly confirmed the nature of the threat or any Israeli role.
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Netanyahu said Israel still regards Britain as an ally but sharply criticized its government, citing a British move he did not specify that coincided with the intelligence tip-off.
"It's mind-blowing hypocrisy, I don't know how many lives we have saved giving Britain information about impending attacks," he said.
"They're appeasing, they're attacking Israel, that is fighting the terrorists in the terrorist regime that is attacking them. They appease their enemies, and they attack their protectors, really," Netanyahu said.
"This is a twist of both logic and justice. It doesn't serve Britain well, it doesn't serve the world well," he added.
He told Fox News on Thursday: "We gave the Brits the intel that there was going to be an attack, and it's an Iranian-sponsored attack."
Counterterrorism police announced Saturday they had released on bail a 25-year-old dual U.K.-Iranian national arrested Thursday in Westminster on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts.
Police have concluded searches at two London properties.
"The investigation into the circumstances surrounding events in Gloucestershire is continuing," police said.
Five British men arrested near the base on Sunday remain on bail. Police found petrol in their vans, but no explosive device, and British media reported that one of the initial suspects alerted police to the incident.
Vicki Evans, senior national coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing, called the investigation "hugely complex," saying police are looking at "all possible angles, including possible foreign state involvement."
U.K. Prime Minister Andy Burnham said Wednesday there were "strong indications that Iran played a part" in the incident.
Iran summoned British Ambassador Hugo Shorter on Thursday, with Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi rejecting the "false and ridiculous claims" and demanding that London "correct its inappropriate approach."
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Burnham was "barking up the wrong tree."
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