British Iranian arrested in U.K. terror plot probe
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Armed police at a checkpoint near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire. Photo: Ben Birchall/PA Images via Getty Images
A U.K. Iranian dual national was arrested on suspicion of preparing to carry out terrorist acts in connection with an incident at an English air base used by the U.S., British counterterrorism police said Thursday.
The big picture: Tehran has denied any involvement in the suspected bomb plot at RAF Fairford, while U.K. Prime Minister Andy Burnham said there were "strong indications that Iran played a part" in it.
Driving the news: The 27-year-old man was arrested in Westminster, London, on Thursday afternoon on suspicion of preparation of terrorist acts under Section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006, per a Counter Terrorism Policing statement.
- Police also questioned a 26-year-old British man and searched two properties in the area.
- Five men in their 20s, who were arrested on Sunday following the early morning incident remain on police bail, according to the statement.
Context: The British government earlier this year allowed the U.S. to use RAF Fairford for limited defensive strikes against Iranian missile capabilities.
- Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps noted in July that U.S. B-1 bombers flew from RAF Fairford and said "any base used for aggression against Iranian territory is a legitimate target for us."
State of play: Senior National Coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing Vicki Evans in a statement described the investigation into circumstances surrounding the incident in Gloucestershire as "hugely complex."
- Specialist teams are "interrogating multiple lines of enquiry," she said.
- "As we've made clear, we're looking at all possible angles – including possible foreign state involvement."
Context: The British government earlier this year allowed the U.S. to use RAF Fairford for limited defensive airstrikes against Iranian missile capabilities.
- Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps noted in July that U.S. B-1 bombers flew from RAF Fairford as it said "any base used for aggression against Iranian territory is a legitimate target for us."
What we're watching: Senior National Coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing Vicki Evans in a statement described the investigation into circumstances surrounding the incident in Gloucestershire as "hugely complex."
- Specialist teams are "interrogating multiple lines of enquiry," she said.
- "As we've made clear, we're looking at all possible angles – including possible foreign state involvement."
Context: The British government earlier this year allowed the U.S. to use RAF Fairford for limited defensive airstrikes against Iranian missile capabilities.
- Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps noted in July that U.S. B-1 bombers flew from RAF Fairford as it said "any base used for aggression against Iranian territory is a legitimate target for us."
What we're watching: Senior national coordinator for counter terrorism policing Vicki Evans in a statement described the investigation into circumstances surrounding the incident in Gloucestershire as "hugely complex."
- Specialist teams are "interrogating multiple lines of enquiry," she said.
- "As we've made clear, we're looking at all possible angles – including possible foreign state involvement."
Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional details throughout.
