British counterterrorism police arrested a 27-year-old dual British-Iranian national in Westminster, London, on Thursday on suspicion of the preparation of terrorist acts in connection with events near RAF Fairford, a U.K. military installation that also houses U.S. personnel.
A 26-year-old British national was questioned under caution, and officers searched two properties in the area. The arrests form part of an investigation that began after five other men were detained near the Gloucestershire base early Sunday and later released on police bail.
The five men, all British nationals aged 23 to 25 and from London, were arrested in the village of Whelford after reports of three suspicious vehicles traveling toward the base.
One of the men placed an emergency call himself roughly an hour before a local farmer reported a group of masked men near the vehicles. The men were held on suspicion of explosives offenses and the preparation of a terrorist act. Examinations of the three white vans found a quantity of gasoline, but no explosive devices.
They were released on Monday subject to conditions restricting their movement and contact with others. Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, head of Counter Terrorism Policing, said the release was “an investigative decision and one which is grounded in experience and strategy.” He added that the men “absolutely remain under investigation as we explore multiple lines of inquiry,” including the possibility that activity “may be actively committed by proxies or individuals either knowingly or unknowingly working on behalf of a foreign state.”
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BREAKING: Counter Terror Police have arrested a 27-year-old dual UK/Iranian national in London on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts over the RAF Fairford plot
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RAF Fairford has long served as a forward operating location for the U.S. Air Force. In recent months, U.S. bombers have used the base for missions linked to the conflict with Iran that began in late February.
Senior National Coordinator Vicki Evans said Thursday that “the investigation into circumstances surrounding events in Gloucestershire is hugely complex, and our specialist teams are interrogating multiple lines of enquiry.” She stated that police are considering “all possible angles – including possible foreign state involvement,” and thanked the public “for their continued support and patience whilst we work through this investigation.”
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said Wednesday that “there are strong indications that Iran played a part in what happened over the weekend at RAF Fairford.” He added, “We will say more in due course but we can confirm our belief that we believe Iran to have played a part. Of course it remains an ongoing, complex and serious police investigation, and of course we are working closely with our colleagues in the United States of America.”
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