UK Arrests British Iranian National Over Security Incident Near Airbase

Armed police officers attend a suspected terrorist incident at RAF Fairford airbase in Fairford, England on Sept. 27, 2026. Toby Shepheard/Reuters

Authorities in the United Kingdom have arrested a dual national of the United Kingdom and Iran in connection with a security incident near the Fairford Royal Air Force base in Gloucestershire on Sept. 27.

In an Oct. 1 update, the UK’s Counter Terrorism Policing identified the arrested British Iranian dual national as a 25-year-old man. He was arrested on suspicion of preparing to commit terrorist acts.

Counter Terrorism Policing also confirmed searches at a pair of properties in connection with the ongoing investigation into the RAF Fairford security scare.

RAF Fairford hosts U.S. Air Force elements and is a key forward operating location for U.S. bombers like the B-52 Stratofortress and B-1B Lancer.

In a Sept. 30 interview with the BBC, British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said there are strong indications the recent security incident near RAF Fairford is linked to Iran.

UK’s Senior National Coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing Vicki Evans said on Thursday: “The investigation into circumstances surrounding events in Gloucestershire is hugely complex, and our specialist teams are interrogating multiple lines of enquiry.

“As we’ve made clear, we’re looking at all possible angles – including possible foreign state involvement.”

Authorities initially arrested five men in connection with the security incident near RAF Fairford, but released them on police bail soon after. In their latest update, Counter Terrorism Policing said these five individuals remain on bail.

In a previous update on the investigation, Counter Terrorism Policing said it arrested the first five men on suspicion of committing offenses under the UK’s Explosives Act. After searching multiple vehicles in connection with the Sept. 27 security incident, authorities said they found no explosive devices, but did recover some gasoline.

Tehran has continued to deny any involvement in the incident.

On Thursday, Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it had summoned British Ambassador to Iran Hugo Shorter to reiterate its criticism of Burnham’s recent comments about the ongoing investigation.

“The British ambassador emphasized that he will convey the Islamic Republic of Iran’s protest to London,” the Iranian Foreign Ministry said in a press statement.

This is a developing story that will be updated.