British authorities have arrested a dual British-Iranian national in connection with a suspected terror plot near RAF Fairford, a military airbase in Gloucestershire used by the U.S. Air Force for operations in the Middle East. The 25- or 27-year-old man was detained in central London on Thursday on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts under the Terrorism Act. Additionally, a 26-year-old British national was questioned under caution, while five other British men in their mid-20s, previously arrested near the airbase over the weekend, were released on bail but remain under investigation.
The incident began in the early hours of Sunday when police were alerted after one of the men involved called emergency services. Authorities intercepted three white vans near RAF Fairford, each reportedly loaded with plastic barrels containing petrol, but no explosives were found. Police evacuated around 85 nearby residents while a bomb-disposal robot searched the vehicles.
Officials have been exploring multiple angles, including whether the plot was orchestrated by proxies working on behalf of a foreign state. Prime Minister Andy Burnham indicated this week that “strong indications” suggest Iranian involvement, though details remain classified due to the ongoing investigation. Counter Terrorism Policing’s senior coordinator Vicki Evans described the inquiry as “hugely complex,” with specialist teams scrutinizing all leads, including possible foreign state involvement.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israeli intelligence had provided Britain with warnings about an “Iranian-sponsored attack” on RAF Fairford weeks ahead of the incident. Netanyahu criticized the British government for apparently disregarding the intelligence, linking it controversially to the UK’s subsequent sanctions against Israel over West Bank settlements. The UK government has not publicly confirmed receiving such intelligence.
Iran has denied any involvement, dismissing the allegations as “unfounded and malicious.” The country’s deputy foreign minister for political affairs summoned the UK ambassador to express disapproval of the UK government’s “destructive approach.” Meanwhile, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had previously warned the UK that any bases aiding U.S. operations against Iran would be considered legitimate targets.
Some analysts note that Iran has a history of using proxies—including unwitting individuals—to carry out operations in Europe, often involving young men recruited with promises of payment. Past Iranian-linked activities in the UK have targeted Jewish sites and political dissidents. Experts say the attempted attack on RAF Fairford, if confirmed to be state-sponsored, marks a significant escalation, given Britain is not directly engaged in hostilities with Iran.
Despite the absence of explosives, security at RAF Fairford has been significantly increased, with reinforced perimeter measures and heightened patrols. Authorities continue to investigate the suspects’ motives, including why one individual called emergency services, which may indicate internal dissent or a stunt aimed at disruption rather than an actual attack.
The investigation remains active, with police emphasizing that all possibilities are being considered and that the suspects will be monitored closely as inquiries continue.