We and our partners do the following data processing based on your consent: store and/or access information on a device, personalised advertising and content, advertising and content measurement, audience research and services development UK police arrest dual UK-Iranian national over Fairford air base incident British police on Thursday arrested a British-Iranian dual national in connection with the security incident at the Fairford airbase Wednesday. Five other men initially arrested over the incidence were later released without charge on bail. A B-1 bomber takes off from RAF Fairford in Fairford, England on September 29, 2026. © Alastair Grant, AP British counter-terrorism police investigating a suspected plot involving an airbase used by the US to target Iran said on Thursday they had arrested a dual UK-Iranian national on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts.
In an incident which triggered a huge police response, raised alarm among Western allies, and remains largely unexplained, five British men in their 20s were arrested on Sunday on suspected terrorism and explosive offences near RAF Fairford in western England. But counter-terrorism police said they were considering whether a foreign state had been involved in the incident and Prime Minister Andy Burnham said on Wednesday it might have had an Iranian link. Iran has said accusations it was involved were baseless and on Thursday summoned the British ambassador in Tehran over the issue.
Read moreTrump 'surprised' UK granted bail to suspects in alleged airbase terror plot In the latest development, police said they had arrested the 27-year-old dual national in London while a second British man, 26, had also been questioned under caution and searches carried out at two properties. "The investigation into circumstances surrounding events in Gloucestershire is hugely complex, and our specialist teams are interrogating multiple lines of enquiry," Britain's Senior National Coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing, Vicki Evans, said in a statement. "As we’ve made clear, we’re looking at all possible angles – including possible foreign state involvement." Police launched a massive operation in the early hours of Sunday "due to a range of information" including an alert from a local farmer who became suspicious of the men who she had seen near the base in three vans.
However, the Times newspaper reported that one of the men had also called emergency services shortly before being arrested. Detectives have confirmed that although petrol was found in the vans used by the men, no improvised explosive device was present. Burnham said Britain was working closely with the US, whose bombers have in recent months used Fairford to launch missions against Iran, although US President Donald Trump said he would not have released the men, who police said were only freed under stringent conditions.
Trump previously said those involved had planned "big damage" while US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also pointed to the "hands of a foreign actor" in the incident. British PM alleges there are 'strong indications' Iran was involved in Fairford airbase incident Mystery over UK airbase scare as police find petrol but no explosives 1. 1 ## Trump 'surprised' UK granted bail to suspects in alleged airbase terror plot Europe 2. 2 ## Eiffel Tower chief to step down over removal of women staff during Hindu group's visit France 3. 3 ## 87-year-old Spanish pensioner whose eviction sparked protests to return home Europe 4. 4 ## Netanyahu says Israel is preparing for other ‘potential threats’ after pilot tried to crash plane Middle East 5. 5 ## US forces leave Iraq, raising fears of Iran-backed militias amid power vacuum Middle East 6. 6 ## Video shows Iranian police beating, sexually humiliating teenage detainee © 2026 Copyright France 24 - All rights reserved. France 24 is not responsible for the content of external websites.
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