UK police re-arrest two men in RAF Fairford case and say Iranian state involvement remains “highly likely” as investigation continues

UK counter-terrorism police have re-arrested two men in connection with an incident near RAF Fairford last month. The 24-year-old UK national and 25-year-old dual UK-Iranian national are being held on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence service under Section 3 of the National Security Act 2023. Police say the investigation relates to Iran.

The case began in the early hours of 27 September, when police were alerted to three suspicious vehicles near the US airbase in Gloucestershire. Authorities declared a major incident and evacuated dozens of homes. A bomb disposal team was deployed, and petrol was found in three vans. Seven men have now been arrested as part of the counter-terrorism investigation.

Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, head of National Counter Terrorism Policing, said the investigation remains active and evidence gathering is continuing. He said the police position remains that Iranian state involvement is “highly likely,” while investigators examine the level of involvement and the ambition behind it. Days after the incident, Prime Minister Andy Burnham told the BBC there were “strong indications” Iran had played a part. Iran has previously denied involvement.

RAF Fairford has served as a forward operating location for the US Air Force for decades. In recent months, the US flew bombers from the base after the UK approved requests for defensive strikes against Iran. In the week after the incident, the US withdrew its bombers to America because of some threats and “out of an abundance of caution.”