Two Men Re-arrested in UK Investigation Linked to Iran Intelligence

Counter-terrorism police have re-arrested two men in connection with an incident near RAF Fairford last month, stating the investigation is linked to Iran. The two men, a 24-year-old UK national and a 25-year-old dual UK-Iranian national, are being held on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence service under the National Security Act 2023.

Police were initially alerted to three suspicious vehicles near the U.S. airbase in Gloucestershire in the early hours of September 27. The incident led to the declaration of a major alert and the evacuation of dozens of homes. Seven men were initially arrested as part of the investigation and later released on bail.

Five men were found with petrol in three vans near the airbase. They were initially arrested on suspicion of offenses under the Explosives Act and subsequently arrested on suspicion of preparation of a terrorist act. The two men who have now been re-arrested were among those initially detained. The 24-year-old was first held near the base on September 27, while the 25-year-old was arrested on October 1 in Westminster on suspicion of preparation of terrorist acts. The other five men remain on police bail.

Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, head of National Counter Terrorism Policing, stated, "This is very much a live investigation, and our evidence gathering continues, but at this time our position remains the same; we consider it highly likely that there is Iranian state involvement." He added that investigators are examining the extent of Iran's involvement and its ambitions.

Gloucestershire Police had previously stated they received a call about "three suspicious vehicles" heading towards RAF Fairford. A bomb disposal team was deployed to investigate several vehicles at the time.