A British-Iranian man has been arrested on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts in connection with the security incident near RAF Fairford.
The 27-year-old was detained in Westminster on Thursday as counter-terrorism police investigate possible foreign state involvement in the incident, which led to five British men being arrested near the US-used airbase on Sunday.
A second man, a 26-year-old British national, has been questioned under caution but has not been arrested. Police have also searched two properties in Westminster.
The British-Iranian suspect was arrested on suspicion of preparation of terrorist acts under Section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006.
The Times reported that detectives are investigating whether he may have acted as a recruiter or intermediary for the five men detained near RAF Fairford. He was reportedly placed under surveillance following the initial arrests.
Police have not confirmed his suspected role, and no charges have been brought.
Vicki Evans, Senior National Coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing, said: “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. I’d like to thank the public for their continued support and patience whilst we work through this investigation.”
The arrest comes after Prime Minister Andy Burnham said there were “strong indications” that Iran had played a part in the incident.
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.”
He added: “We have been waiting to confirm what we could say, but we can now confirm our belief that Iran played a part.”
Tehran has strongly denied any involvement.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded directly to Burnham, saying: “I can confirm Iran’s belief that releasing supposed terrorists working for foreign states really says it all. You’re barking up the wrong tree.”
Iran summoned the British ambassador in Tehran, Hugo Shorter, on Thursday to protest against the allegations.
The latest arrest follows a major security operation near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire early on Sunday.
Five British men, aged between 23 and 25 and all from London, were detained after police received reports of suspicious activity involving three white vans near the airbase.
They were initially arrested on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act and were subsequently arrested on suspicion of preparing an act of terrorism.
Bomb disposal specialists and forensic teams examined the vehicles but found no explosives or improvised explosive devices. Police later confirmed that a quantity of petrol had been recovered.
All five men were released on police bail and remain under investigation, subject to strict conditions on their movements and contact with others.
Investigators are examining whether the men may have been acting as proxies for a foreign state, either knowingly or unknowingly.
The circumstances surrounding the initial alert also remain unclear. The Times reported that one of the five suspects called the emergency services shortly before the arrests. Police have not publicly confirmed who made the call.
Detectives are considering a number of possible explanations for the activity near the base, including whether it was connected to surveillance, an attempt to test security or preparations for an incendiary attack.
RAF Fairford is a Royal Air Force station used extensively by the United States military and has played a role in US operations against Iran.
The base has hosted American strategic bombers and has been used during recent operations connected to the conflict with Tehran, making it a sensitive potential target.
The investigation has also prompted close co-operation between British and American authorities.
US President Donald Trump criticised the decision to release the original five suspects on bail and said the US had been aware of them before their arrests.
Asked earlier this week whether Iran was connected to the incident, Trump said: “It might be.”
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has also said the incident appeared to involve “the hands of a foreign actor”, although he did not publicly identify a country.
The arrest of a British-Iranian suspect is the first publicly disclosed direct Iranian connection to anyone detained during the investigation. His nationality does not in itself establish Iranian state involvement, and police have not disclosed the evidence behind the foreign-state line of inquiry.
Counter Terrorism Policing said the investigation remains active and appealed for anyone with information about the events near RAF Fairford to contact officers.
