Major RAF Fairford update as police re-arrest pair on suspicion of helping Iran intelligence

Two men who were arrested during an investigation into a suspected terror plot near RAF Fairford have been rearrested on suspicion of assisting Iran’s intelligence service, Counter Terrorism Policing said. Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) said it was “highly likely that there is Iranian state involvement” in the activity that took place close to RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire on September 27. A 24-year-old UK national and a 25-year-old dual UK-Iranian national, both from the borough of Westminster, London, were re-arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence service under Section 3 of the National Security Act 2023.

The country to which the investigation relates is Iran, CTP said. The 24-year-old man had been initially arrested on September 27 near RAF Fairford and the 25-year-old was initially arrested on October 1 in Westminster. The other five men arrested during the investigation remain on police bail. Counter terror police launched an investigation after three vans were discovered near the base. The base is home to the US's intelligence operations centres for Europe and Africa, as well as a Nato intelligence hub, according to the Central Intelligence Agency's website.

Head of National Counter Terrorism Policing in the UK, Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, said: “Since the events at RAF Fairford on Sunday September 27, our specialist teams have been working tirelessly to interrogate the many lines of inquiry involved in this hugely complex investigation. “So far, seven men have been arrested in connection with our investigation. As a result of the ongoing efforts of our officers, earlier today two of those men were re-arrested for offences relating to Section 3 of the National Security Act – assisting a foreign intelligence service.

“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.” In the wake of the incident, Downing Street maintained that RAF Fairford remains secure. Senior National Coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing, Vicki Evans, said: “This remains a live investigation and our specialist teams continue to pursue multiple lines of enquiry into the circumstances surrounding events near RAF Fairford.

“Once again, I’d like to thank the public for their continued support and patience whilst we work through this highly complex investigation. “We’re acutely aware of the public interest in this investigation, and we are working around the clock, and at pace, to identify the motivation behind events in Gloucestershire. We remain committed to investigating all possible angles.” For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters .