A dual UK-Iranian national arrested over alleged events at RAF Fairford has been released on bail, counter-terrorism police have said.
The 25-year-old man was detained in Westminster, London, on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts under Section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006. Police had initially given his age as 27.
A second man, aged 26, was also questioned under caution. Searches of two properties in the Westminster area have now been completed.
In a statement, counter-terrorism police said: “A man arrested on Thursday (1 October) in connection with events at RAF Fairford on Sunday (27 September) has been released on bail.”
The force added: “The investigation into the circumstances surrounding events in Gloucestershire is continuing.”
Five men arrested near the airbase in Gloucestershire remain on police bail. The men, all UK nationals from London and in their mid-20s, were detained early on Sunday on suspicion of explosive offences and terrorism.
Police were alerted by a farmer who reported seeing three suspicious vehicles in the Cotswold village of Whelford. The homes of the five men, including one in Camden and four in Westminster, were also searched.
Three vans were examined by police, with armed officers maintaining roadblocks and security checks around RAF Fairford. One of the vehicles had “Fuel 2You” printed on its exterior, although it was not thought to be linked to a genuine company.
The arrests have prompted claims about possible Iranian involvement. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had warned UK authorities about an “Iranian-sponsored attack” and claimed Israel had supplied intelligence about the suspected plot.
He told Fox News: “We gave the Brits the intel that there was going to be an attack, and it’s an Iranian-sponsored attack, and pretty much the next day they slapped sanctions on us.”
Netanyahu did not provide further details. US President Donald Trump has also indicated that American intelligence was aware of an Iranian plan involving the airbase.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham previously said there were “strong indications that Iran played a part”, while declining to give further details. Iran’s embassy in London has strongly denied any involvement in the incident.
