UK police arrest dual British-Iranian national in RAF Fairford investigation
publishers 23articles 25first reported 28 Sep, 16:00 UTCdeveloping since 28 Sep · 17 editions
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.
HOW THIS STORY WAS MADE
Written from 3 articles, 1 with the publisher's own text; 2 independent newsrooms once syndicated copies count as one; this version written 24 h after the record first saw the story; the editor kept it as written.
- Publishers
- 23
- Source articles
- 25
- Given to the writer
- 3, 1 with the article's own text
- Independent newsrooms
- 2
- This version written
- 24 h after the record first saw the story
- Second model (editor)
- kept as written
- Publication gate
- passed
- Human review
- none
WHAT THE EDITOR DID
The second model checked the writer's draft against the same sources and published it as written.
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