A 25-year-old dual UK-Iranian national arrested in connection with a suspected terrorist plot at RAF Fairford has been released on bail. He is the sixth man detained in the investigation to be freed.
The man was arrested on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts under section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006. He was detained on Thursday in the borough of Westminster, London, where searches of two properties have now concluded.
Ongoing investigation
Counter-terrorism police said the investigation into the incident is still under way. Last weekend, five British nationals, all in their mid-20s, were arrested on suspicion of explosives offences and terrorism and then bailed.
The arrests followed the discovery of three suspicious vans near the military site in Gloucestershire.
Possible foreign state involvement
Vicki Evans, the senior national coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing, previously described the investigation as “hugely complex”, adding that specialist teams were “interrogating multiple lines of inquiry”. She said: “As we’ve made clear, we’re looking at all possible angles – including possible foreign state involvement.”
The prime minister, Andy Burnham, has said there were “strong indications” Iran played a part in the incident near the Gloucestershire military base.
Background and response
RAF Fairford has been used in recent months by US bombers after former prime minister Keir Starmer granted Washington permission to use British bases for “defensive” strikes against Tehran. Counter-terrorism police have said a quantity of petrol, but no explosive devices, was found in the vans that sparked the security alert.
On Thursday, the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, claimed Israel handed Britain intelligence about the suspected terror plot. Netanyahu said his country warned UK authorities about the “Iranian-sponsored attack” shortly before Britain’s announcement of a ban on trade with illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
