27-year-old arrested in Britain over alleged terrorist preparations at RAF Fairford air base

A 27-year-old British-Iranian man has been arrested in London on suspicion of preparing acts of terrorism in connection with the security incident at RAF Fairford air base in Gloucestershire, British counter-terrorism police announced.

The suspect was arrested in Westminster. Another man, aged 26 and a British citizen, has also been questioned in custody, while police searched two properties in the area.

Five other men, all British citizens from London and in their twenties, who were arrested near the base on Sunday, remain released on bail pending further investigation.

Senior national counter-terrorism policing coordinator Vicki Evans said investigators were examining “all possible angles, including foreign state involvement”. She described the investigation as “extremely complex” and said several lines of inquiry were being followed.

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said on Wednesday that there were “strong indications” of a possible Iranian role in the incident, without giving further details. Tehran has strongly denied the allegations of involvement.

The first five men were arrested in the early hours of Sunday after police received reports of “three suspicious vehicles” travelling towards the air base, which is operated by the United States Air Force. The incident triggered a major security operation.