LONDON: British counterterrorism police rearrested two men on Tuesday on suspicion of assisting Iran’s intelligence service. The arrests concern last month’s incident near Royal Air Force (RAF) Fairford.
A 24-year-old British national and a 25-year-old British-Iranian dual national face investigation under Section 3 of the National Security Act 2023. That provision covers assisting a foreign intelligence service.
Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, head of National Counter Terrorism Policing, said officers continued gathering evidence.
On possible Iranian involvement, he said: “We consider it highly likely that there is Iranian state involvement.” However, Iran’s ambassador to Britain has denied the allegation.
Police have arrested seven men during the investigation. Five remain on bail, and authorities have not released the suspects’ names.
Officers initially detained the younger man near the base on September 27, while they arrested the older suspect in London.
Read: RAF Fairford Investigation: UK Police Bail Sixth Suspect
During the initial operation, police arrested five men on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act and explosives offences. Army bomb disposal teams attended, and authorities evacuated nearby homes.
Read: US Bases in Germany Face Iran Threat, Officials Say
US Air Force B-1 bombers had operated from Fairford during strikes on Iran. Washington subsequently withdrew its long-range bombers from the base.
US Vice President JD Vance described the move as a precaution but declined to explain the specific threat. British police rearrested two men on suspicion of assisting Iranian intelligence during the Fairford investigation.
