Dual UK-Iranian citizen arrested in air base probe
Two Latvian nationals who are legally residing in the United Kingdom were arrested on Thursday for breaching a fence at RAF Molesworth, a military base critical to U.S. and NATO intelligence operations. This action fell under Section 4 of Britain’s National Security Act of 2023, according to reports.
The arrests launched a significant counterterrorism investigation into this security breach at the military installation, which is a vital intelligence hub for American military commanders across Europe and Africa.
The base, currently undergoing substantial expansion costing $556.5 million, is focused on creating the Joint Intelligence Analysis Complex (JIAC). This new facility is meant to consolidate 20 existing intelligence units and accommodate over 1,000 personnel.
Authorities found the suspects, ages 32 and 36, inside the base around 2 a.m. Thursday. They had undergone an extensive security sweep prior to their discovery.
The alarm was initially raised around 10 p.m. Wednesday by Ministry of Defense Police officers conducting routine patrols when they came across an abandoned vehicle near the perimeter.
Following their initial detention for trespass and criminal damage, both men were rearrested under the National Security Act for entering a prohibited area with potentially harmful intentions towards the United Kingdom. They are now in custody while counterterrorism detectives carry out search warrants at two homes in nearby Peterborough.
RAF Molesworth, managed by the U.S. Air Force’s 423rd Air Base Group, serves as a nonflying installation designated for joint intelligence and command operations. It supports various intelligence elements for U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Command, as well as the NATO Intelligence Fusion Centre.
Historically, the airfield was used by the U.S. 15th Bombardment Squadron during World War II before it was officially deactivated in 1973 and repurposed into an intelligence center.
The JIAC construction commenced on April 12, 2024, with expectations for completion in the summer of 2028.
In a statement, U.S. European Command acknowledged the quick response from British authorities following the intrusion.
British counterterrorism officials, however, urged caution regarding hasty judgments about espionage or terrorist motives. They have indicated that there’s no established link between the breach at Molesworth and ongoing security issues at RAF Fairford, another UK base utilized by U.S. strategic bombers.
Counterterrorism Policing London commander Helen Flanagan mentioned that the investigation is still ongoing, stating, “We are keeping an open mind at this stage.”
Fox News Digital has reached out to the Pentagon and the CIA for further comments.
