Arrests Made at UK Nuclear Submarine Base
An Iranian man and a woman were arrested on Thursday afternoon while trying to access the home of Britain’s nuclear submarine fleet, raising suspicions of espionage amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.
The pair, a 34-year-old male and a 31-year-old female of unknown Iranian nationality, attempted to enter the Faslane facility at Clyde Naval Base in Scotland. This site is responsible for housing the UK’s nuclear-powered submarines as well as missile-carrying vessels and is considered one of the country’s most secure military locations.
According to British state media, they didn’t attempt to force their way in. Instead, they tried to gain entry by inquiring at the gate. Initially, they were turned away for lacking the required identification. But soon after, they were arrested for behaving suspiciously nearby.
Authorities, including local police and the Ministry of Defense, are currently investigating the incident. A police spokesperson gave a brief statement about the event, noting, “Around 5 PM on Thursday, March 19, we were alerted to two individuals trying to enter the Naval Base. Both individuals have been arrested, and inquiries are ongoing.”
Faslane has a long history of protests, particularly from the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND), which has maintained a “Peace Camp” near the facility’s entrance since the 1980s. The camp, situated in a wooded area, features a number of old caravans and motorhomes.
The CND has organized numerous protests over the years, including tactics like “lock-on” actions at base entrances, “peace walks,” and even dramatic “die-ins.” Just a week ago, activists confronted police at the base, voicing their opposition to nuclear weapons.
In fact, the camp marked its 40th anniversary of continuous protest in 2022. There have been instances where protesters managed to infiltrate the base; in 2002, for example, some activists swam into the lake at night to graffiti a submarine. At the time, a Ministry of Defense representative warned, “These people are at risk of being shot. This is not a wise move.” Historical incidents from the late 1980s also saw demonstrators cut through the perimeter and board a nuclear submarine before their arrests.
The recent arrest at Faslane comes as tensions rise due to Operation Epic Fury in the Middle East. Concurrently, two Iranian men had appeared in court this week, facing charges of spying on Jewish and Israeli-linked targets in London for the Iranian government.
