UK police arrest another man over air base incident

British counter‑terrorism police have arrested a 27‑year‑old dual UK‑Iranian national in London as part of an ongoing investigation into an alleged bomb plot near RAF Fairford, an air base in western England used by the United States for operations targeting Iran. The arrest follows the earlier detention of five British men in their twenties on Sunday, who were suspected of terrorism‑related and explosive offences in the same area. Those five were subsequently released on police bail without charge.

In the latest development, a second British man, aged 26, was also questioned under caution, and police conducted searches at two separate properties. The authorities have not disclosed further details about the individuals or the nature of the evidence that prompted the arrests.

Vicki Evans, Britain’s Senior National Coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing, said the investigation into the events in Gloucestershire is “hugely complex” and that specialist teams are pursuing multiple lines of enquiry. Police have indicated they are considering whether a foreign state may have been involved in the incident.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has suggested that the plot might have an Iranian connection, a claim that has been rejected by the Iranian government. Tehran described the accusations as baseless and summoned the British ambassador in Tehran to protest the allegations.

The incident prompted a large police response and raised concerns among Western allies, though the precise motives and details of the alleged plot remain largely unexplained. Authorities continue to investigate the matter, and further arrests or charges may follow as the inquiry progresses.