British counter-terrorism police have arrested a 25-year-old dual UK-Iranian national in London on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts, in the sixth arrest linked to a suspected plot targeting RAF Fairford, the Gloucestershire airbase regularly used by United States bomber aircraft.
The man was detained in Westminster on Thursday morning by officers from the Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism Command. The arrest follows the detention of five British men in their twenties near the base on September 27, after reports of three suspicious vans in the area. Police said they found petrol at the scene but no explosives. The five were later released on bail.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham told Parliament on Wednesday there were “strong indications” of Iranian involvement in the suspected plot — a claim Tehran has firmly denied, summoning the British ambassador in protest. The base has taken on added strategic importance during the ongoing US-Israel war with Iran, having hosted American long-range bombers involved in the campaign.
US President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio both commented on the arrests, underlining how the case has become a diplomatic flashpoint between London, Washington and Tehran. Security around British military installations has been tightened while the investigation continues, with police describing it as an active and complex inquiry.
The suspect remains in custody at a London police station. Authorities have not disclosed what evidence led to the latest arrest, but officials say further detentions have not been ruled out as detectives piece together the movements and contacts of those involved.
Sources: Al Jazeera, The Straits Times, The Times.