LONDON (AP) – A dual U.K.-Iranian national, aged 25, has been released on bail after being arrested on suspicion of planning a terror attack following a security incident at a U.S.-operated military air base in England.
The man was taken into custody on Thursday in London near the RAF Fairford air base, which has been utilized by American bombers for operations against Iran. He is the sixth person to be arrested in connection with this inquiry before being granted bail.
Authorities in the U.K. have suggested a connection to Iran regarding this incident.
While the identities of the other five individuals remain undisclosed, police mentioned that they are all British citizens in their twenties, also residing in London.
Earlier on Sunday, numerous residents in the vicinity of the base were evacuated as armed officers and bomb disposal units responded to the situation. Investigators later reported discovering a significant amount of gasoline, specifically an accelerant, in three vans associated with the suspects; however, no explosive devices were located.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham indicated that there are “strong indications” of Iranian involvement in the matter, although he did not elaborate on the suspects’ intentions or the rationale behind linking Iran to the incident.
In response, Iran has refuted any involvement, stating it views bases used for assaults on its territory as legitimate targets.
RAF Fairford, situated about 100 miles west of London, has been a strategic location for American bombers engaged in various conflicts in the Middle East, including the ongoing situation with Iran.
Some U.S. officials have voiced strong disapproval regarding the decision to release the five suspects on bail, with President Trump remarking, “I wouldn’t have done that,” and Secretary of State Marco Rubio mentioning that the decision has left many feeling “disturbed.”
The arrests occurred amidst escalating tensions concerning threats from hostile states. British security services have reported that both Russia and Iran are believed to have utilized proxies to carry out criminal activities within the U.K. National security cases involving these hostile nations are said to have surged by 50% in the six-month period ending in December 2025.
U.K. officials have asserted that Iranian-affiliated proxies are responsible for a series of arsons and attacks across Britain and beyond, many of which have targeted the Jewish community and aimed to instill fear. They have also warned that Tehran could broaden its attack targets in the U.K. if conflicts in the Middle East persist.
