Two men re-arrested on suspicion of spying for Iran over RAF Fairford incident

Two men have been re-arrested in the investigation into a suspected terror plot near RAF Fairford on 27 September.

Counter Terrorism Policing said that a 24-year-old UK national, and a 25-year-old dual UK/Iranian national, had been re-arrested on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence service.

“The country to which the investigation relates is Iran,” the police said in a statement.

The men are both from the Borough of Westminster in London.

The 24-year-old was first arrested on 27 September near RAF Fairford.

The 25-year-old was first arrested in Westminster on 1 October.

They are among seven men who have been arrested in connection with the investigation into the suspected terror plot at the air base in Gloucestershire.

RAF Fairford has been used in recent months by the bombers after former prime minister Sir Keir Starmer granted Washington permission to use British bases for “defensive” strikes against Tehran during the Middle East war.

The US Air Force withdrew all of its bombers from RAF Fairford earlier this month following the suspected terror plot.

The B-1 bombers were sent back to their home bases in the US.

On Tuesday, Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, who is the head of National Counter Terrorism Policing in the UK, said that specialist teams had been “working tirelessly to interrogate the many lines of enquiry involved in this hugely complex investigation”.

The two men were re-arrested for alleged offences under the National Security Act, Mr Taylor said.

“This is very much a live investigation, and our evidence gathering continues, but at this time our position remains the same; we consider it highly likely that there is Iranian state involvement.

“Our investigators are continuing to examine what that level of involvement was and the ambition behind it.

“Due to their sensitive nature, national security investigations can take time to progress, and I'm grateful to everyone who has given my teams the time and space needed to pursue this work thoroughly and effectively.

“From the outset our priority has been to uphold the integrity of this investigation and hold those who wish to do our country harm, accountable.

“We know the public have unanswered questions. I want to be as transparent as possible and when we are in the position to share more, we will.”

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