7th Man Arrested in UK in Security Incident Linked to Iran

British police have arrested a seventh man in connection with a security incident at RAF Fairford, a U.S.-run military air base in England, which authorities have linked to Iran. The 22-year-old man, a British national, was detained in central London on Tuesday on suspicion of preparation of terrorist acts.

Six other men have been released on bail pending further investigation. Counter Terrorism Policing stated that detectives are pursuing multiple lines of inquiry and remain committed to investigating all possible angles.

The incident led to the evacuation of scores of residents from their homes near the base on September 27, as armed police and bomb-disposal experts were deployed to the area. Authorities later reported finding a quantity of gasoline, an accelerant, in three vans associated with five suspects, but no explosives were discovered.

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has indicated strong suggestions of Iranian involvement in the incident, though specifics of the suspected plot have not been detailed. Iran has denied any involvement but has previously stated that any base used to attack its territory is considered a legitimate target.

In a related development, the U.S. moved its B-52 and B-1 bombers from RAF Fairford. President Donald Trump stated that the bombers were relocated due to a threat he linked to Iran, though he did not provide further details, saying the move was intended to avoid tempting an enemy.