Two men re-arrested over suspected Iran links to RAF Fairford

Summarised from 11 outlets · 13 reports · Updated 20 Oct, 18:38 · Archive

Two men have been re-arrested on suspicion of assisting Iran's intelligence service in connection with an incident near RAF Fairford on 27 September.

Two men have been re-arrested in the investigation into an incident near RAF Fairford on 27 September. Counter Terrorism Policing said a 24-year-old UK national and a 25-year-old dual UK-Iranian national, both from the borough of Westminster in London, were re-arrested on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence service under Section 3 of the National Security Act 2023. Police confirmed the investigation relates to Iran.

The 24-year-old man was initially arrested on 27 September near RAF Fairford, the US airbase in Gloucestershire. The 25-year-old was initially arrested on 1 October in Westminster. Seven men have been arrested in connection with the investigation; five others arrested remain on police bail.

Police were alerted to three suspicious vehicles near the airbase in the early hours of 27 September. A major incident was declared and dozens of homes evacuated. Police found a quantity of petrol in the three vans but no explosives. The five men found with the vans were initially arrested on suspicion of committing offences under the Explosives Act and then further arrested on suspicion of preparation of a terrorist act.

Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, head of National Counter Terrorism Policing in the UK, said: 'Since the events at RAF Fairford on Sunday 27 September, our specialist teams have been working tirelessly to interrogate the many lines of enquiry involved in this hugely complex investigation.' He added: '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.'

Taylor said investigators were continuing to examine what the level of involvement was and the ambition behind it. He noted that national security investigations can take time to progress due to their sensitive nature.

The US Air Force withdrew all of its B-1 bombers from RAF Fairford earlier this month following the incident. RAF Fairford has been used by US bombers conducting operations during the Middle East war.

How it is being reported

• Two London men re-arrested over suspected activity near RAF FairfordPolice have re-arrested two London men, saying it is ‘highly likely’ Iran was involved in activity near RAF FairfordEvening Standard · 20 Oct, 18:26
• 2 men rearrested for alleged spying for Iran in U.K. air base incidentPolice said a 24-year-old British national and a 25-year-old dual U.K.-Iranian national were arrested under the National Security Act.CBS News · 20 Oct, 18:17
• Two men re-arrested on suspicion of assisting Iran over RAF Fairford incidentCounter Terrorism Policing said it was ‘highly likely that there is Iranian state involvement’ in the activity that took place close to RAF Fairford.Evening Standard · 20 Oct, 18:14
• Two re-arrested on suspicion of assisting Iran intelligence after RAF Fairford incidentCounter-terror police say the men have been arrested on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence service.BBC News · 20 Oct, 18:10
• Two men arrested over suspected RAF Fairford 'terror plot' are rearrested on suspicion of helping Iran's intelligence serviceTwo men who were arrested during an investigation into a suspected terror plot near RAF Fairford have been rearrested on suspicion of assisting Iran's intelligence service.Daily Mail · 20 Oct, 18:07
• Major RAF Fairford 'terror plot' update as police re-arrest two menCounter Terrorism Policing have released a significant update.Daily Express · 20 Oct, 18:02
• Police rearrest two men over RAF Fairford incidentPair held on suspicion of breaching National Security Act as officers link the event to Iran for the first timeFinancial Times · 20 Oct, 17:58
• Two men re-arrested on suspicion of assisting Iran over RAF Fairford 'terror plot'Counter Terrorism Policing said a 24-year-old UK national, and a 25-year-old dual UK/Iranian national, had been re-arrested on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence serviceThe Mirror · 20 Oct, 17:57
• Two men re-arrested on suspicion of spying for Iran over RAF Fairford incidentCounter Terrorism Police say it is ‘highly likely’ that there is Iranian state involvementThe Independent · 20 Oct, 17:57
• Two men re-arrested in RAF Fairford investigationCounter terror police have re-arrested two men amid the ongoing investigation into the incident at RAF Fairford. A 24-year-old UK national, and a 25-year-old dual UK-Iranian national, both from London, were arrested on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence service under Section 3 of the National Security Act 2023. The country to which the investigation relates is Iran, police confirmed. MORE TO FOLLOW... TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter cGB News · 20 Oct, 17:46
• Two men re-arrested on suspicion of assisting Iranian intelligence over RAF Fairford incidentTwo men have been re-arrested in the investigation into an incident near RAF Fairford on 27 September.The Independent · 20 Oct, 17:46
• Two men re-arrested for helping ‘foreign intelligence’ in RAF Fairford probe with ‘Iran behind’ activityTo view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Up Next Previous Page Next Page Counter Terrorism Policing has re-arrested two men in the investigation into activity that took place close to RAF Fairford. A 24-year-old UK national, and…Metro · 20 Oct, 17:44
• Two men re-arrested in RAF Fairford investigationTwo men have been re-arrested over an alleged plot near RAF Fairford, police said.Sky News · 20 Oct, 16:17

In this story: RAF Fairford · Counter Terrorism Policing · Iran · Laurence Taylor · Gloucestershire · Westminster · US Air Force

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