UK: Two arrested, one of Iranian origin, in connection with security incident near US military base

London, Jan 1 (KUNA) -- British police said on Thursday that they had arrested two men, one of whom holds dual British-Iranian citizenship, on suspicion of preparing for a terrorist act linked to the security incident that occurred last Sunday in front of the US Fairford air base. The Counter-Terrorism Command said in a statement that the suspects were detained in the Westminster area in central London, where two separate residences were also searched. The police confirmed that all possibilities are being examined, including the possibility of foreign state involvement in the operation, adding that the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the events in Gloucestershire, where the military base is located, is highly complex and that multiple investigative lines are being pursued.

Security forces detained five individuals on Sunday morning on suspicion of offenses under the Explosives Act, following controlled explosions carried out as part of an inspection of three transport vehicles parked near the military base used by US forces.

Yesterday, British Prime Minister Andy Burnham confirmed that there are “strong indications” of Iran’s involvement in the incident, which he described as a terrorist conspiracy aimed at targeting the US Fairford air base. (End) M.R.N. / M.M.J.