Two men previously detained in an inquiry near the U.S.-used RAF Fairford air base were arrested again Oct. 20 on suspicion of aiding a foreign intelligence service, British police said.
Counterterrorism police described Iranian state involvement as highly likely but said they are still investigating its level and purpose. The new arrests were made under Section 3 of the National Security Act 2023, which covers conduct intended or likely to materially assist a foreign intelligence service in activities connected to the United Kingdom.
Both men are from London's Westminster borough. A 24-year-old UK national was first arrested near the Gloucestershire base on Sept. 27. A 25-year-old dual UK-Iranian national was first arrested in Westminster on Oct. 1. Five other men detained in the inquiry remain on police bail.
Police responded Sept. 27 after receiving information that included a call about three suspicious vehicles near the base. Officers arrested five men nearby and evacuated about 85 households as a precaution. Police later said examinations found no improvised explosive devices, although an unspecified quantity of petrol was recovered.
Britain's Ministry of Defence said in March that it had authorized U.S. bombers to use RAF Fairford for specified operations against Iranian missile capabilities.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham told Parliament on Oct. 12 that coordination in Iran was “highly likely” and that the activity was “almost certainly” directed by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard. Those were the government's assessments of the Sept. 27 activity. The Iranian Embassy in London rejected suggestions linking Iran to the initial arrests.
