LONDON, United Kingdom — A British-Iranian man arrested in the RAF Fairford terrorism investigation has been released on police bail, leaving all six people detained in connection with the security incident outside the U.S.-operated air base out of custody while inquiries continue.
Counter Terrorism Policing said the man had been arrested in Westminster on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts under Section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006.
Searches of two properties in the same part of London have also been completed.
The latest release was announced on Saturday, October 3, 2026.
Police identified the suspect as a dual United Kingdom-Iranian national.
An earlier police statement announcing his arrest described him as 27, while the subsequent statement confirming his release gave his age as 25.
Authorities have not publicly explained the discrepancy.
Six Men Now on Bail
The arrest followed a major security operation near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire on September 27.
Five British men in their 20s from London were initially detained after three vans attracted police attention close to the base.
They were arrested on suspicion of terrorism and explosives offences and were subsequently released on bail.
Police later said a quantity of petrol had been found in the vehicles but that no explosive devices were discovered.
The British-Iranian man became the sixth person arrested in the inquiry when counterterrorism officers detained him in London on Thursday.
Counter Terrorism Policing said separately that a 26-year-old British national had also been questioned under caution but did not say that he had been arrested.
The BBC reported the latest bail development on Saturday.
No one has been charged.
Investigators Examine Possible Foreign-State Role
The investigation has expanded beyond the immediate circumstances surrounding the vans.
Vicki Evans, the senior national coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing, said investigators were pursuing several lines of inquiry, including the possibility that a foreign government was involved.
“The investigation into circumstances surrounding events in Gloucestershire is hugely complex, and our specialist teams are interrogating multiple lines of enquiry,” Evans said after the British-Iranian suspect was arrested.
“As we’ve made clear, we’re looking at all possible angles – including possible foreign state involvement.”
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said there were “strong indications” that Iran played a role in the incident.
British authorities have not publicly disclosed evidence establishing Iranian direction of the alleged activity.
Iran has rejected accusations linking it to the case.
Its embassy in London described reports of Iranian involvement as unfounded, and Tehran later summoned the British ambassador to protest the allegations.
RAF Fairford Has Been Used by U.S. Bombers
RAF Fairford is a British military installation in Gloucestershire that is extensively used by the United States Air Force.
American bombers operating from the base have been involved in military operations connected to the conflict with Iran, giving the investigation broader national-security significance.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israeli intelligence warned British authorities about what he described as an Iranian-sponsored plan involving the base.
British police have not publicly confirmed that account or attributed the suspected activity to Tehran.
The case has prompted heightened security around RAF Fairford, including the deployment of armed police and bomb-disposal personnel during the initial response.
Residents near the base were temporarily evacuated as officers examined the vehicles and surrounding area.
With the British-Iranian man now released, none of the six arrested suspects remains in custody.
Their release on bail does not end the investigation or determine whether offences were committed.
Counter Terrorism Policing said detectives were continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident in Gloucestershire.
