British counterterrorism police arrested a 27-year-old dual U.K.-Iranian national in London on Thursday on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts in connection with the incident near RAF Fairford.
The arrest marks a significant new development in the investigation, one day after Prime Minister Andy Burnham said there were “strong indications” Iran played a part in what happened near the U.S.-used air base.
The 27-year-old was arrested in the borough of Westminster under Section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006, Counter Terrorism Policing said. A second man, 26, who is a U.K. national, has also been questioned under caution.
Senior National Coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing Vicki Evans said investigators are pursuing multiple lines of inquiry.
“The investigation into circumstances surrounding events in Gloucestershire is hugely complex, and our specialist teams are interrogating multiple lines of enquiry,” Evans said.
“As we’ve made clear, we’re looking at all possible angles – including possible foreign state involvement. I’d like to thank the public for their continued support and patience whilst we work through this investigation.”
Five British men in their 20s who were arrested near RAF Fairford on Sunday remain on police bail as the investigation continues.
The five were arrested after police received information about three suspicious vehicles near the Gloucestershire air base. They were initially detained on suspicion of offenses under the Explosives Act and later on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act.
Police subsequently said no improvised explosive devices were found in the vehicles, although a quantity of gasoline was recovered.
Thursday’s arrest comes after the British government publicly raised the possibility of Iranian involvement.
As The Pavlovic Today reported Wednesday, Burnham said there were “strong indications that Iran played a part” in the RAF Fairford incident while stressing that the police investigation remained active and complex.
His statement followed comments from Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who said earlier in the week that the incident “clearly involves the hands of a foreign actor.”
Counterterrorism police have been more cautious, saying investigators are examining whether individuals may have acted knowingly or unknowingly on behalf of a foreign state.
RAF Fairford is a British military airfield used extensively by the U.S. Air Force and has served as a forward operating location for American bombers, including during operations against Iran.
Police said the investigation remains ongoing.
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