UK Arrests British Iranian Dual National Over Security Incident Near Airbase

Authorities in the UK have arrested a dual national of the UK and Iran in connection with a security incident near the Fairford Royal Air Force base in Gloucestershire, England, on Sept. 27.

In an Oct. 1 update, the UK’s Counter Terrorism Policing identified the arrested British Iranian dual national as a 25-year-old man. He was arrested on suspicion of preparing to commit terrorist acts.

Counter Terrorism Policing also confirmed searches at a pair of properties in connection with the ongoing investigation into the RAF Fairford security scare.

RAF Fairford hosts U.S. Air Force elements and is a key forward operating location for U.S. bombers such as the B-52 Stratofortress and B-1B Lancer.

In a Sept. 30 interview with the BBC, British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said there are strong indications the recent security incident near RAF Fairford is linked to Iran.

UK Senior National Coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing Vicki Evans said on Oct. 1: “The investigation into circumstances surrounding events in Gloucestershire is hugely complex, and our specialist teams are interrogating multiple lines of enquiry.

“As we’ve made clear, we’re looking at all possible angles – including possible foreign state involvement.”

Authorities initially arrested five men in connection with the security incident near RAF Fairford but released them on police bail soon after. In their latest update, Counter Terrorism Policing said these five individuals remain on bail.

In a previous update on the investigation, Counter Terrorism Policing said it arrested the first five men on suspicion of committing offenses under the UK’s Explosives Act. After searching multiple vehicles in connection with the Sept. 27 security incident, authorities said they found no explosive devices but did recover some gasoline.

Tehran has continued to deny any involvement in the incident.

“You’re barking up the wrong tree,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Sept. 30.

On Oct. 1, Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it had summoned British Ambassador to Iran Hugo Shorter to reiterate its criticism of Burnham’s recent comments about the ongoing investigation, which the ministry described as “baseless and ridiculous.”

“The British ambassador emphasized that he will convey the Islamic Republic of Iran’s protest to London,” the Iranian Foreign Ministry said in a press statement.

In July, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it would treat any bases used to launch strikes on Iranian territory as legitimate targets for retaliation.

The British government has authorized U.S. forces to use some of its bases, including RAF Fairford, to launch strikes on Iranian missile sites that have targeted international shipping.

Reuters contributed to this report.