Two suspects in RAF Fairford plot re-arrested for ‘helping Iran’

Two men suspected of involvement in the RAF Fairford plot have been arrested on suspicion of assisting Iran’s intelligence service. Police reaffirmed their belief in Tehran’s involvement as they detained the pair, aged 24 and 25, for a second round of questioning, this time under the National Security Act. Most commented 1 Forgotten particle may hold key to how universe survived big bang Science 245 comments 2 Lily Allen: ‘I felt I was a vehicle for male pleasure — not my own’ Music 235 comments 3 ‘We got a call yesterday. Birth mum’s had another baby’ Parenting 32 comments 4 Doctor Who and me — Russell T Davies on his life in TV Books 24 comments 5 Budget 2026 predictions: when is it and what could be announced? Economics 235 comments The men were originally arrested last month on suspicion of preparing terrorist attacks. Their re-arrest, under fresh espionage offences, is an indication that detectives could have found specific evidence to link them directly to Iran. Top stories 1 16 of the best safaris in Africa Africa Since a group of men in balaclavas were seen approaching the RAF base in Gloucestershire in the early hours of September 27, detectives have been examining the suspects’ electronic devices and combing their contacts. Andy Burnham, the prime minister, has previously said that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps was likely to have co-ordinated the plot. Among the possibilities the authorities are considering are that it was a surveillance operation, a “dry run” to test security or a stunt to send a message to the British government. Advertisement The Iranian regime, which has denied involvement, issued threats against Fairford in July because it is a staging post for US strikes in the Middle East. A group of men were arrested on September 27 However, fears of an imminent terrorist attack were downgraded when experts found fuel, not explosives, in the three vans that the men were driving, and The Times revealed that one of the men called 999 himself . Seventh arrest over RAF Fairford but mastermind may be in Iran Nonetheless, American B-1 bombers were withdrawn from Fairford after the incident. Top stories 1 Prepare now for the inheritance tax mess coming for your pension Tax The 24-year-old man, a UK national, was part of the group initially arrested near the airbase in the early hours of Sunday, September 27. The 25-year-old, a dual UK-Iranian national, was arrested on October 1. Both men live in the borough of Westminster, central London. Advertisement Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, head of Counter Terrorism Policing, 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.” The three vans allegedly used by the men The two men were re-arrested for offences relating to Section 3 of the National Security Act, which relates to assisting a foreign intelligence service. It carries a maximum prison sentence of 14 years for conduct such as carrying out surveillance or passing on information. Taylor said: “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.” Five other men arrested remain on police bail.