Two men have been re-arrested over their alleged involvement in a suspected plot around RAF Fairford, with counter-terror police saying they consider it highly likely that there is Iranian state involvement.
The men – a 24-year-old British national and a 25-year-old dual UK/Iranian national, both from London – were re-arrested on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence service, an offence under Section 3 of the National Security Act.
Arrests and investigation
The 24-year-old was initially arrested on Sunday 27 September near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, and the 25-year-old was subsequently arrested on Thursday 1 October in the Borough of Westminster, London.
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: “So far seven men have been arrested in connection with our investigation. As a result of the ongoing efforts of our officers, earlier today two of those men were re-arrested for offences relating to Section 3 of the National Security Act – assisting a foreign intelligence service.”
Iranian state involvement suspected
Taylor stated: “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.”
He said investigators are continuing to examine “what that level of involvement was and the ambition behind it.”
The Gloucestershire base and the surrounding villages of Whelford and Kempsford came to attention after three white vans were spotted near the safety perimeter. A farmer claimed she saw hooded and masked men run into the woods near the base, which, until yesterday, housed US fighter jets.
Further arrests and bail
The five other men arrested in connection with the investigation are still on police bail.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded to earlier comments by the Prime Minister, writing on social media: “I can confirm Iran’s belief that releasing supposed terrorists working for foreign states really says it all.”
