Archive · 3 Oct 2026
Man Released on Bail in Fairford Air Base Investigation
Police in Britain are investigating an incident near RAF Fairford, an air base used by the US.
They arrested a 25-year-old dual UK-Iranian national on Thursday.
On Saturday, police said he had been released on bail.
Searches at two London properties had also finished.
Five other men had been arrested near three vans after the incident.
They were later released without charge, and police said there was petrol in the vans but no bomb.
Officials are looking into whether a foreign country was involved.
Iran says claims that it was involved are baseless.
British counter-terrorism police released a 25-year-old dual UK-Iranian national on bail after arresting him on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts.
The man was arrested on Thursday in connection with an incident near RAF Fairford the previous weekend.
Police said searches at two properties in London had concluded and the investigation was continuing.
Five other men arrested near three vans were released without charge on police bail under stringent conditions; police said petrol was found, but no improvised explosive device was present.
Police are considering possible foreign-state involvement; British and US officials have raised the possibility of an Iranian link, which Iran denies.
- Who
- A 25-year-old dual UK-Iranian national arrested by British counter-terrorism police, along with five other men arrested earlier.
- What
- The 25-year-old was released on bail while police continue investigating an incident near RAF Fairford.
- When
- The man was arrested on Thursday and released on Saturday; the incident began early the previous Sunday.
- Where
- Near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, western England; searches also took place at two properties in London.
- Why
- Police arrested the man on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts and are investigating the circumstances of the incident, including possible foreign-state involvement.
Officials’ suspicions
Iran’s denial
Possible foreign-state involvement
Officials’ suspicions
British counter-terrorism police said they were considering whether a foreign state was involved. Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the incident might have had an Iranian link, and US President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio also referred to possible foreign involvement.
Iran’s denial
Iran said accusations that it was involved were baseless and summoned the British ambassador in Tehran.
- Man released
- A 25-year-old dual UK-Iranian national, released on bail.
- Arrest
- He was arrested on Thursday on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts.
- Incident
- The incident near Fairford began early the previous Sunday.
- Other arrests
- Five British men in their 20s were arrested near three vans and later released without charge on police bail under stringent conditions.
- Van contents
- Police said petrol was found in the vans, but no improvised explosive device was present.
- Searches
- Searches at two properties in London had concluded.
- Investigation
- Police said the investigation was continuing and that they were considering possible involvement by a foreign state.
- Iran's response
- Iran denied involvement, called the accusations baseless, and summoned the British ambassador in Tehran.