UK police arrest dual British-Iranian national in RAF Fairford investigation

British counterterrorism police arrested a 27-year-old dual British-Iranian national in central London on Thursday in connection with an alleged security incident near RAF Fairford in southwest England.

The man was detained on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts, police said. A second man, a 26-year-old British national, was questioned under caution but was not reported arrested.

Five men in their 20s from London had previously been arrested following events near the airbase on Sunday on suspicion of explosives and terrorism offences. They were later released on bail while the investigation continued. Police said Tuesday that no explosives had been found in vehicles parked near the base, though officers recovered a quantity of petrol.

Vicki Evans, the Metropolitan Police’s senior national coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing, described the investigation as “hugely complex” and said authorities were examining multiple lines of inquiry, including possible foreign-state involvement.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham said there were “strong indications” of Iranian involvement. Iran denied any role, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi saying British authorities were “barking up the wrong tree”. The Iranian embassy in London called attempts to link Tehran to those arrested “fabricated speculations”.

RAF Fairford has been used by US bombers for operations in the Middle East. US President Donald Trump said he was surprised that the first five suspects had been released.