UK Counter-Terror Police Re-Arrest Two Suspects Over Iranian Espionage Probe at RAF Fairford
British authorities have re-arrested two men suspected of aiding Iranian intelligence following a major security breach at the US-utilized RAF Fairford base.
POLICY WIRE — London, United Kingdom — British counter-terrorism authorities confirmed on Tuesday that two men have been taken back into custody as part of an ongoing investigation into a security breach at RAF Fairford, a military installation utilized by the United States.
The suspects, a 24-year-old British citizen and a 25-year-old dual UK-Iranian national, both residing in London, face allegations of assisting a foreign intelligence service. Police explicitly identified the nation involved in the probe as Iran.
The security incident, which occurred on September 27, prompted an immediate response from the United States, which withdrew its fleet of B-1 bombers from the southwest England airbase earlier this month. Prime Minister Andy Burnham has stated that the event was almost certainly directed by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards.
The investigation began after a local farmer alerted police to suspicious activity involving a group of men and several white vans near the base during the night. While seven suspects were initially detained in the aftermath of the event, all were released on bail earlier this month without formal charges.
The 24-year-old suspect was first apprehended near the airbase on September 27, while the 25-year-old dual national was taken into custody in London on October 1. Both men were re-arrested under the provisions of a 2023 national security law concerning the assistance of foreign intelligence services.
Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, who leads counter-terrorism policing, noted that specialized units are working tirelessly to interrogate the many lines of enquiry involved in this hugely complex investigation. He emphasized that the case remains a live operation with ongoing evidence gathering.
Regarding the state’s involvement, Taylor stated, But at this time our position remains the same; we consider it highly likely that there is Iranian state involvement. Investigators are currently working to determine the full extent of Iran’s potential role and the ambition behind it, though Tehran has consistently denied any involvement.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
