UK Arrests Iranian-British Citizen in Terror Plot Near US Air Base

British counter-terrorism police have arrested a 25-year-old dual British-Iranian citizen in London as part of an investigation into a suspected terror plot near RAF Fairford, a US Air Force base in Gloucestershire. He is the sixth suspect detained in connection with the incident, which occurred near the base from which American bombers have launched strikes in Iran. Police are investigating the potential involvement of a foreign state in the plot.

The investigation began when local authorities responded to a report of three commercial vehicles blocking a road near the base, with several masked men present. However, it was later revealed that one of the suspects had called the police himself an hour earlier. Five British men, aged 23 to 25, were initially arrested at the scene. A search of their vehicles uncovered a large quantity of fuel, though no explosives were found. The initial five suspects were later released on bail with restrictive conditions, a decision that drew criticism from US President Donald Trump.

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated there were strong indications of Iran's involvement, and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio commented that a foreign actor was clearly involved. Tehran has vehemently denied any involvement, calling the accusations baseless. RAF Fairford is a sensitive military facility and has served as a forward base for US Air Forces in Europe, with strategic bombers recently deploying from there for operations against Iranian targets in the Middle East.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that Israel provided intelligence to London that helped thwart the attack, stating, "We gave the British the intelligence that an attack under Iranian auspices was about to occur." He also criticized the British government for imposing sanctions on Israel shortly after receiving the intelligence.