British-Iranian man, 25, arrested over foiled attack on RAF Fairford airbase
A 25-year-old British-Iranian dual national has been arrested in Westminster on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act targeting RAF Fairford. UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said Iran likely played a role.
British-Iranian man arrested over alleged plot to attack US military airbase in England
A 25-year-old British-Iranian dual national was arrested in Westminster, London, on Thursday on suspicion of "preparation of terrorist acts," in connection with an alleged plot to attack RAF Fairford, a Royal Air Force base in Gloucestershire used by US military aircraft, wsj.com reports.
Two properties near the arrest location were searched, police confirmed. The arrest came a day after British Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated there were "strong indications" that Iran had played a part in the incident — remarks broadly consistent with the United States' position that a foreign state actor was involved.
"The investigation into circumstances surrounding events in Gloucestershire is hugely complex, and our specialist teams are interrogating multiple lines of enquiry," said Vicki Evans, Senior National Coordinator for Counterterrorism Policing. "As we've made clear, we're looking at all possible angles – including possible foreign state involvement," she added.
Burnham points to Iran, urges patience
Speaking to the BBC on Wednesday, Burnham said: "There are strong indications that Iran played a part in what happened over the weekend at RAF Fairford, but of course it remains an ongoing, complex, and serious police investigation."
"We will say more in due course, but we can confirm our belief that we believe Iran to have played a part," he said, adding: "Obviously I wouldn't say it lightly."
Burnham noted that Britain has been working "closely" with US counterparts throughout the week. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had said on Tuesday that the suspected plot "clearly involved the hands of a foreign actor," following remarks by President Donald Trump that the suspects "might be" connected to Iran.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Fox News on Wednesday that Israel had passed intelligence to Britain indicating "there was going to be an attack, and it's an Iranian-sponsored attack," without elaborating on the nature of the intelligence provided.
Iran rejects accusations, summons UK ambassador
Iran dismissed the allegations as baseless and summoned the British ambassador in Tehran, Iranian state media reported on Thursday. During the meeting, Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi urged London to revise what he described as its "inappropriate approach" toward Tehran.
The Iranian embassy in London had previously issued a statement "categorically rejecting and strongly condemning" what it called "unfounded and malicious speculations" of Iranian involvement. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Wednesday that the UK was "barking up the wrong tree."
Five other suspects remain on bail
Five other men were arrested in the early hours of Sunday on suspicion of explosive offences and, later, terrorism charges, near the Gloucestershire base. The men — identified only as British nationals aged between 23 and 25, from the London area — were subsequently released on bail after police confirmed no explosives were found in three vans at the scene.
Their release drew criticism from Trump, who said: "I wouldn't have done that." Police confirmed Thursday that all five remain on bail.
Burnham sought to reassure both the British public and American officials about the decision, saying: "I think people need to understand that when it says released, that isn't as people might think. It's obviously with the strictest possible bail conditions." He stated he has "complete confidence" in how the security services are handling the case.
Legal experts have noted that bail is rarely granted where there are serious grounds for suspecting terrorism offences. Under counter-terrorism law in the UK, police may hold suspects for up to 14 days before charges are brought.
US Ambassador to the UK Warren Stephens praised both countries' collaboration, saying they are working together to "keep our citizens safe, at home and abroad."
Emergency call deepens mystery
Earlier on Wednesday, British media including The Times and the BBC reported that one of the suspects phoned 999 — the UK emergency number — almost an hour before a local farmer alerted authorities after spotting masked men and three white vans near the base.
The Times reported that police were already on the scene when the farmer's call was made, and that investigators are examining whether the suspect had second thoughts or whether making the call was part of a deliberate plan.
Senior counter-terrorism officer Laurence Taylor told reporters: "A police response was activated in the early hours of Sunday morning due to a range of information received, including a call from a member of the public about several vehicles acting suspiciously close to RAF Fairford." Taylor confirmed that "no improvised explosive devices were found" in the vehicles, but that "a quantity of petrol was recovered."
The investigation remains ongoing.
Source: Google News IE — Crime (en)