Dual UK-Iranian national arrested over RAF Fairford incident

A 27-year-old man holding both UK and Iranian citizenship has been taken into custody on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts following an incident at RAF Fairford, according to counter-terrorism police. This individual was arrested in Westminster, London. Alongside him, a 26-year-old UK citizen has been questioned under caution, and searches have been conducted at two nearby properties.

Earlier on Sunday, five men in their twenties were detained close to the Gloucestershire airbase; all five are UK nationals from London and currently remain on police bail. Authorities have not ruled out any possibilities, including potential involvement by a foreign state, said Vicki Evans, the force’s senior national coordinator. Highlighting the complexity of the situation, she noted specialist teams are pursuing various investigative paths. Evans also thanked the public for their cooperation and patience throughout the ongoing inquiry.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham indicated on Wednesday that there are strong indications Iran may have been involved in the event, although he did not share further details. Tehran has categorically denied any participation. The security incident was triggered after reports of three suspicious vehicles heading toward the US Air Force-operated base early Sunday morning. The BBC has reported that one of the suspects called emergency services about an hour before a local farmer reported seeing a large group of masked men near the vehicles.

The men initially faced arrest on suspicion of explosives offenses before later being suspected of preparing a terrorist act. They were released on bail on Monday as part of a decision police described as “grounded in experience and strategy.” Searches of vans near the base uncovered a quantity of petrol but no explosives. The group, aged between 23 and 25, mostly live in Westminster, with one residing in Camden; their homes were also searched. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio asserted that the involvement of “a foreign actor” was clear in this incident. RAF Fairford has served as a forward operating site for the USAF for decades and recently saw US bombers launch missions to the Middle East following UK approval of its use for defensive actions against Iran

Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More