UK police arrest seventh man over security incident at US-run RAF Fairford base
In short
British counterterrorism police arrested a 22-year-old British national in central London on Tuesday on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts, the seventh arrest in an investigation into a security incident at the US-run RAF Fairford base linked by authorities to Iran. Five British men in their 20s were detained near the base on Sept. 27 and released on bail, along with a 25-year-old British-Iranian man arrested in London. Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said the UK sees “strong indications” Iran played a part, which Iran denies.
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British police on Tuesday arrested a 22-year-old British national in the Westminster area of central London on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts, Counter Terrorism Policing said. It was the seventh arrest in an investigation into a security incident at RAF Fairford, a UK-owned base used by American planes about 100 miles (160 kilometers) west of London. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
The base has been used by American planes to strike Iran during this year’s war. Five British men in their 20s were detained near the perimeter of the base in the early hours of Sept. 27, and a 25-year-old British-Iranian man was arrested in London the following Thursday. All six have been released on bail under investigation. Police later said they had found gasoline, described as an accelerant, in three vans linked to the five suspects, but no explosives. Scores of residents were evacuated from their homes near the base as armed police officers and army bomb-disposal experts moved into the rural area late at night. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the United Kingdom saw “strong indications” that Iran played a part in the incident, without saying why or what the nature of the suspected plot was. Iran has denied involvement, but it has previously said it considers any base used to attack its territory a legitimate target. President Trump said on Sept. 28 that Iran “might be” involved and that US and British authorities worked “very closely” on the matter; he also criticized the decision to release the earlier suspects on bail, according to CBS News. [ 2 , 4 ]
The US moved its B-52 and B-1 bombers from RAF Fairford on Sunday. CBS News reported that it is unclear whether or how the move was connected to the arrests. Police have released few details of the investigation into an incident that sparked speculation and concern. Vicki Evans, the senior national coordinator for counterterrorism policing, said detectives “remain committed to investigating all possible angles” and were working “around the clock, and at pace, to identify the motivation behind events in Gloucestershire.” [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
Why it matters
The investigation touches a base used by American aircraft to strike Iran, and the UK prime minister has publicly pointed to Iranian involvement while Iran denies it, giving the case potential diplomatic consequences beyond the criminal inquiry. The release of the earlier suspects on bail drew criticism from President Trump, indicating strain over how the case is handled. Police say the motivation behind the incident has not yet been established.
Key facts
- A 22-year-old British national was arrested Tuesday in the Westminster area of central London on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts, Counter Terrorism Policing said. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
- It was the seventh arrest in an investigation into a security incident at RAF Fairford, about 100 miles (160 kilometers) west of London. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- Five British men in their 20s were detained near the perimeter of the base in the early hours of Sept. 27, and a 25-year-old British-Iranian man was arrested in London on Thursday. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
- All six earlier suspects have been released on bail under investigation. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
- Police said they found gasoline in three vans linked to the five suspects, but no explosives. [ 2 , 4 ]
- Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the UK sees “strong indications” that Iran played a part in the incident, without saying why or what the suspected plot was. [ 2 , 4 ]
- Iran has denied involvement but has said it considers any base used to attack its territory a legitimate target. [ 2 , 4 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- A 22-year-old British national was arrested in the Westminster area of central London on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts, the seventh arrest in the investigation. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- RAF Fairford is a UK-owned, US-run base about 100 miles (160 kilometers) west of London that has been used by American planes to strike Iran during the war. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
- Five British men in their 20s were detained near the base perimeter early on Sept. 27, and a 25-year-old British-Iranian man was arrested in London the following Thursday; all six were released on bail. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
- Police found gasoline, described as an accelerant, in three vans linked to the five suspects and no explosives. [ 2 , 4 ]
- Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the UK sees “strong indications” Iran played a part in the incident. [ 2 , 4 ]
- Iran has denied involvement while saying it considers any base used to attack its territory a legitimate target. [ 2 , 4 ]
Still unclear
- The motivation behind the incident and the nature of the suspected plot. Police said they are investigating all possible angles and have released few details; the documents do not describe the alleged plot itself.
- Whether the removal of US B-52 and B-1 bombers from RAF Fairford on Sunday was connected to the arrests. CBS News reported the timing but said it is unclear whether or how the move was connected.
- The precise basis for the UK assessment that Iran played a part. Prime Minister Andy Burnham cited “strong indications” without saying why, and Iran denies involvement.
- The outcome for the six suspects released on bail and the criticism by President Trump of that decision. The documents say they were released under investigation and monitoring and that the bail decision drew criticism, but do not give further detail.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Five British men in their 20s are detained near the perimeter of RAF Fairford; scores of residents are evacuated as armed police and army bomb-disposal experts move into the area. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
- President Trump tells reporters Iran “might be” involved and says US and British authorities worked “very closely” on the matter. [ 4 ]
- A 25-year-old British-Iranian man is arrested in London, the sixth arrest in the investigation. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
- The US moves its B-52 and B-1 bombers from RAF Fairford; it is unclear whether the move is connected to the arrests. [ 4 ]
- The Associated Press reports the seventh arrest. [ 1 ]
- The Seattle Times carries the AP report. [ 2 ]
- The New York Times reports the arrest, describing the suspect as a 22-year-old from London. [ 3 ]
- CBS News reports the arrest and adds that the earlier suspects were released on bail under investigation and monitoring, a decision criticized by President Trump. [ 4 ]