UK Police Rearrest Two Men in RAF Fairford Iran Probe

British counterterrorism police have rearrested two men suspected of assisting Iran's foreign intelligence service in connection with a security incident near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, England, where US forces operate a military airbase. Announced on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, the arrests concern an investigation into suspicious vehicles discovered near the installation on September 27.

The suspects are a 24-year-old British national and a 25-year-old dual British-Iranian national, according to Counter Terrorism Policing. Authorities arrested both men previously and released them on bail while investigators pursued additional evidence.

Police are investigating the case under the National Security Act 2023, with the renewed arrests focusing on suspected assistance to a foreign intelligence service. No one has been charged, and five other men previously arrested in connection with the investigation remain on police bail, according to the BBC and CBS News.

Laurence Taylor, head of National Counter Terrorism Policing, said investigators believe Iranian state involvement is highly likely, although the precise nature and extent of that involvement remain under examination.

"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," said Laurence Taylor, head of National Counter Terrorism Policing.

Taylor said investigators are examining the suspected involvement and the objectives behind the incident. He also noted that national security investigations can take time because of their sensitive nature and complexity.

"Our investigators are continuing to examine what that level of involvement was and the ambition behind it," said Taylor.

The investigation began after Gloucestershire Police received a report of three suspicious vehicles traveling toward RAF Fairford at 00:45 British Summer Time on September 27. Police declared a major incident, and authorities evacuated dozens of homes in the surrounding area while specialist teams examined the vehicles.

According to the BBC and CBS News, five men were found with gasoline, an accelerant, in three vans near the airbase. Police initially arrested them on suspicion of offenses under the Explosives Act before making further arrests on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act. Authorities reported finding no explosives in the vehicles.

The 24-year-old was initially detained near the base on September 27, while the 25-year-old was arrested in Westminster on October 1 on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts. The two were subsequently rearrested on suspicion of assisting Iran's intelligence service.

British authorities have raised concerns about possible Iranian involvement, and Prime Minister Andy Burnham previously said the suspected plot was almost certainly directed by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard. Iranian officials have rejected allegations linking Tehran to the incident.

In a previous statement, the Iranian Embassy in London said the government categorically rejected allegations connecting Iran to the incident, describing them as unfounded and malicious speculation. The diplomatic mission's response followed public statements by British individuals and media outlets about the investigation.

The incident also prompted a US military response. CBS News reported that the US Air Force removed its bombers from RAF Fairford following the security incident, although the investigation into the suspected plot and the possible involvement of foreign intelligence remains ongoing.