Sixth suspect in RAF Fairford bomb-plot inquiry released on bail

A 25-year-old dual UK-Iranian national arrested during an investigation into a suspected terrorist plot near RAF Fairford has been released on bail, counter-terrorism police said. The man was arrested on Thursday in Westminster, London, on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts under Section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006. Searches of two properties in the borough have concluded, police said.

He was the sixth person detained in the inquiry, which began after three suspicious vans were spotted near the military site in Gloucestershire. Police said the investigation remained under way. Five British nationals, all described as being in their mid-20s, had previously been arrested on suspicion of explosives offences and terrorism.

They were later bailed, according to the report. Vicki Evans, the senior national coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing, described the investigation as highly complex and said specialist teams were examining multiple lines of inquiry. She said investigators were considering all possible angles, including possible foreign-state involvement.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham said there were strong indications that Iran played a role in the incident near the Gloucestershire military base. The supplied material does not establish that allegation as fact. Police said petrol, but no explosive devices, had been found in the vans that triggered the security alert.

RAF Fairford has recently been used by US bombers after former prime minister Keir Starmer gave Washington permission to use British bases for defensive strikes against Tehran. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel had provided Britain with intelligence about the suspected plot. He described it as an Iranian-sponsored attack and said the warning came shortly before Britain announced a ban on trade with illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank.