British counterterrorism police arrested a dual British-Iranian citizen in London on Thursday following a foiled plot near Royal Air Force Fairford in Gloucestershire. The arrest brings the total number of suspects detained in the ongoing investigation to six, as authorities examine potential foreign state involvement.
The latest arrest involves a 25-year-old man detained in the capital on Thursday, according to British Counter Terrorism Policing. Police initially reported that the man was 27 before later correcting his age.
The incident began early Sunday morning in Gloucestershire, when a local farmer spotted a group of hooded and masked men near the perimeter of RAF Fairford blocking a road with three white vans. The resident alerted local authorities, triggering a major incident response, the evacuation of nearby homes, and the deployment of armed officers.
What Police Found Inside the Vans Near RAF Fairford
Initial fears of a bomb plot gave way to a complex puzzle after forensic teams examined the seized vehicles. National Counter Terrorism Policing head Laurence Taylor confirmed that exhaustive examinations revealed no improvised explosive devices.
Instead, officers recovered a quantity of petrol from the vans.
“Those vehicles have been subject to extensive examination … and we can confirm that no improvised explosive devices were found. However, a quantity of petrol was recovered.”
Laurence Taylor, National Counter Terrorism Policing head
Adding to the unusual nature of the operation, reports indicated that one of the suspects had dialed 999 almost an hour before the farmer reported the suspicious vehicles to police. Investigators are examining whether the call was an attempt to stop the operation or part of a larger plan, noting that the caller only possessed a partial picture of the situation.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham Points to Strong Indications of Iranian Involvement
The investigation has quickly taken on international diplomatic weight. Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced that British authorities believe the perpetrators had ties to Tehran following an emergency cabinet meeting.
“There are strong indications that Iran played a part in what happened over the weekend at RAF Fairford.”
Prime Minister Andy Burnham
RAF Fairford, located roughly 100 miles west of London, serves as a forward operating location for U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command under agreements dating back to the 1950s. The facility’s long runway accommodates heavy bombers, and American B-1 and B-52 aircraft have used the base to launch airstrikes during the conflict with Iran. The base has previously been utilized in conflicts including the Gulf War and Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003.
The Iranian government has firmly rejected any connection to the arrests. The Iranian embassy in London issued a statement condemning the allegations as unfounded and malicious speculations
intended to fuel propaganda in the United Kingdom.
Bail Decisions Draw Criticism From Washington Officials
The initial group of five men arrested on Sunday—all London-based British nationals aged between 23 and 25—were released on stringent bail conditions following extensive police interviews on Monday.
The decision to grant bail drew immediate pushback from senior American leadership. President Donald Trump criticized the move during an Oval Office appearance, telling reporters that he would not have released them, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio noted that many officials were disturbed by the development.
Laurence Taylor defended the police strategy, emphasizing that releasing the suspects was an investigative decision grounded in experience and policing powers.
“The investigation into circumstances surrounding events in Gloucestershire is hugely complex, and our specialist teams are interrogating multiple lines of enquiry.”
Vicki Evans, senior national coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing
British officials continue to maintain close communication with American counterparts as counterterrorism teams comb through evidence recovered from the suspects’ residences in London and Gloucestershire.