A 25-year-old UK–Iranian man arrested under Section 5 of the Terrorism Act in connection with a suspected plot near RAF Fairford has been released on bail. Searches of two London properties have concluded and Counter Terrorism Policing says the inquiry is ongoing. Five other British suspects were earlier arrested and bailed after three vans near the base were found to contain petrol but no explosives. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel had provided intelligence warning of an "Iranian-sponsored attack," comments that came amid a diplomatic row over UK sanctions on settlement trade.
Sixth Suspect Released On Bail After RAF Fairford Security Alert
The men were arrested after three suspicious vans were seen near the military site in Gloucestershire - CHP/Pixel8000
A 25-year-old man with dual UK–Iranian nationality who was arrested in connection with a suspected plot linked to RAF Fairford has been released on bail, police said.
The man was detained on Thursday in the Borough of Westminster on suspicion of preparation of terrorist acts under Section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006. Searches of two properties connected to the inquiry have concluded, and Counter Terrorism Policing has said the investigation remains ongoing.
Earlier in the inquiry, five British nationals in their mid-20s were arrested on suspicion of explosives offences and terrorism after three suspicious vans were reported near the military base in Gloucestershire; those suspects were subsequently bailed. Counter-terror police confirmed they found a quantity of petrol in the vans but no explosive devices.
Asst Chief Constable Richard Ocone gives a statement at the village hall in Kempsford on September 27 in Whelford after police declared a major incident - Getty/Leon Neal
Assistant Chief Constable Richard Ocone addressed the public at a village hall in Kempsford on 27 September after police declared a major incident at the site. Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said there were "strong indications" that Iran may have been involved, and the British ambassador in Tehran met Iran's foreign ministry at the Iranian government's request.
RAF Fairford has been used in recent months by US bomber aircraft following permission granted by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer for US forces to use UK bases for what were described as "defensive" strikes amid the wider Middle East conflict. The UK government said it is working closely with US partners and has the situation under close control.
International Reactions
On Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel had provided UK authorities with intelligence warning of an "Iranian-sponsored attack." Mr Netanyahu linked the warning to the timing of recent UK sanctions on trade with illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank, a move that triggered a diplomatic row between London and Jerusalem.
In an interview with Fox News Mr Netanyahu said: "We gave the Brits the intel that there was going to be an attack, and it's an Iranian-sponsored attack, and pretty much the next day they slapped sanctions on us."
The investigation is ongoing and police have not publicly linked any foreign state conclusively to the incident. Authorities have asked anyone with information to come forward as enquiries continue.
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