British-Iranian Man, 27, Held in RAF Fairford Terror Plot Probe as PM Points at Iran
Counter-terrorism police arrested the dual UK-Iranian national in Westminster on Thursday, the sixth arrest tied to the suspected plot at RAF Fairford. Prime Minister Andy Burnham said there were “strong indications” Iran played a part.
A sixth man is in custody in the investigation into a suspected terror plot at RAF Fairford. Counter Terrorism Policing arrested a 27-year-old dual UK-Iranian national in the borough of Westminster, London, on Thursday on suspicion of preparation of terrorist acts.
Officers searched two properties in the Westminster area as part of the investigation. A 26-year-old UK national was also questioned under caution, police said.
The arrest follows a weekend of rapid developments. Five British nationals, all in their mid-20s, were arrested in the early hours of Sunday near the Gloucestershire airbase on suspicion of explosives offences and terrorism. They were released on bail on Monday and remain under investigation. Police found petrol in the vans that sparked the alert, but no explosive devices.
The prime minister now says Iran is implicated. Andy Burnham said on Wednesday night that there were “strong indications” Iran played a part in the suspected plot. “We can now confirm our belief that Iran played a part,” he added, though he said he could not give further details while the investigation was underway.
The claim drew a fast reaction from across the Atlantic. President Donald Trump criticised the decision to release the five men on bail. Burnham said Britain was working closely with the United States and that authorities had the situation under “the strongest grip.”
Israel’s prime minister made his own claim earlier on Thursday. Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel warned British authorities about the “Iranian-sponsored attack” shortly before Britain announced a ban on trade with illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
How the plot was stopped remains under investigation. The Times reported that the plot was foiled when one of the suspects called the police, and that investigators believe the five men were offered small amounts of money to act as proxies. Whether it was meant to disrupt the base, test its security, or something more serious is still being established.
What is known is how the alarm was first raised. A farmer driving home at 1:36 a.m. on Sunday saw vans surrounded by men in balaclavas and called the police. The Times reported that officers were already on the scene by then, because the suspect had called almost an hour earlier.
The base at the center of it all is a strategic one. RAF Fairford has been used in recent months by U.S. bombers, after former prime minister Sir Keir Starmer granted the United States permission to use British bases for “defensive” strikes against Tehran during the Middle East war.
Counter-terrorism police are keeping their options open. Vicki Evans, the senior national coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing, said the investigation was “hugely complex” and that officers were looking at “all possible angles — including possible foreign state involvement.”
