A sixth person has been arrested on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts in connection with an incident Sunday near RAF Fairford, a British air base used by U.S. forces.
The 27-year-old man is a dual United Kingdom/Iranian national, according to Counter Terrorism Policing. British Police said they arrested him in the Westminster borough of London on Thursday.
Vicki Evans, senior national coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing, said in a statement that the investigation “into circumstances surrounding events in Gloucestershire is hugely complex,” and that specialist teams are investigating “multiple lines of enquiry.”
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“As we’ve made clear, we’re looking at all possible angles — including possible foreign state involvement,” Evans said. “I’d like to thank the public for their continued support and patience whilst we work through this investigation.”
Police earlier arrested five men suspected of committing offenses under the Explosives Act, and later, preparation of a terrorist act. They are currently released on bail.
Gloucestershire Police Assistant Chief Constable Richard Ocone said officers received a call about three “suspicious vehicles” traveling toward RAF Fairford at around 12:45 a.m. Sunday.
Officers responded and arrested the men in the Whelford area., which is about two miles away from RAF Fairford. The base hosts the U.S. Air Force’s 501st Combat Support Wing and the 420th Air Base Squadron. The U.S. has used it during conflicts for decades, including the Iran War, which started Feb. 28.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham told the BBC in an interview that the government thinks Iran was involved in the incident, though he did not explain why.
“We will say more in due course but we can confirm… that we believe Iran to have played a part,” Burnham said.
Officials in Iran denied this.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a statement on X that “releasing supposed terrorists working for foreign states” on bail “really says it all.”
“You’re barking up the wrong tree,” he added.
When questioned by the BBC on why the five suspects were bailed, Burnham said they were subject to the “strictest possible bail conditions” and UK authorities “have this under the strongest grip and closest control.”
Iran’s Embassy in the United Kingdom said it “categorically rejects and strongly condemns the recent unfounded and malicious speculations published by some British individuals and media outlets attempting to link Iran to (the) arrest of five suspects in the vicinity of RAF Fairford base.”
“The Circulation of such fabricated speculations, particularly in the aftermath of the criminal acts of aggression committed by the United States and the Israeli regime against the Iranian people, will serve no purpose other than to fuel Iranophobia propaganda in the UK,” it said.
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