Crime & Public Safety
RAF Fairford suspect released on bail, police say
A UK-Iranian dual national arrested in a counter-terrorism investigation linked to a major incident near RAF Fairford has been released on bail, British police said Saturday.
The man was arrested in central London on Thursday on suspicion of preparation of terrorist acts as part of an investigation into events on Sunday near the military airbase in Gloucestershire, southwest England.
Five other men arrested on Sunday near the airbase on suspicion of explosives and terrorism offences were also released on bail earlier in the week.
Police were called to the base early Sunday after reports that suspicious white vans were heading towards it. The incident led to the evacuation of a nearby village and the declaration of a major incident. Police later said no explosives were found at the scene.
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said there were “strong indications that Iran played a part” in the incident. Tehran has rejected that claim. Police have not publicly explained the nature of the threat.
British media reported that officers were alerted to the incident by one of the initial suspects, but police have not commented on those reports.
“The investigation into the circumstances surrounding events in Gloucestershire is continuing,” UK police said Saturday.
Update
Counter-terror police said the UK-Iranian dual national arrested in central London was released on bail.
Police said the investigation into the Gloucestershire events is continuing.
The new item gives the suspect's age as 25, differing from the earlier candidate's age of 27.
Source note: AFP news report published on 3 October 2026 at 10:57:40 UTC.
Update
British counter-terrorism police said a 27-year-old dual UK-Iranian national was arrested in Westminster on suspicion of preparation of terrorist acts.
Police said a second man, a British citizen, was questioned but not arrested.
Police said two properties were searched in Westminster.
Police said no explosives were found at the scene.
Vicki Evans said police were examining all possible angles, including possible foreign state involvement.
Iranian officials rejected speculation that Iran was involved.
Source note: AFP news report published on 1 October 2026 at 17:14:55 UTC.
Update
The UK prime minister said there were strong indications that Iran was involved in the airbase incident.
Source note: AFP news report published on 30 September 2026 at 16:00:09 UTC.
Update
British media reported that counter-terror police were examining possible Iranian involvement as a line of inquiry.
The five detained men were still in custody Monday and were being questioned.
Trump said UK and US authorities had the suspects under investigation for a while.
The source added context that Britain gave the United States permission in March to use RAF Fairford for specific defensive operations into Iran.
The Whelford cordon remained in place Monday after about 85 households stayed elsewhere overnight.
Source note: AFP news report published on 28 September 2026 at 10:48:57 UTC.
Update
British media reported that counter-terror police were examining whether Tehran was involved in the potential bomb threat.
US President Donald Trump said, without giving details, that authorities knew about the suspects and had caught them; he appeared to nod when asked about an Iran connection.
Whelford remained cordoned off Monday morning after residents spent the night in alternative accommodation.
AFP reporters saw gates to RAF Fairford blocked by heavy construction vehicles.
Source note: AFP news report published on 28 September 2026 at 08:14:39 UTC.
Uncertainty notes
The nature and source of the threat near RAF Fairford have not been publicly explained.
The latest item gives the dual national's age as 25, while the earlier published candidate gave it as 27.
Source
AFP news report published on .