UK: Seventh suspect arrested in connection with 'Fairford' base incident

- After the release of six detainees on bail... investigations continue to uncover the motive and circumstances of the incident

British Counter-Terrorism Police announced on Tuesday the arrest of a seventh suspect in the ongoing investigation into the security incident near RAF Fairford, a base used by US forces in Gloucestershire.

In a statement, the police said the suspect is a 22-year-old British national who was arrested in Westminster, central London, on suspicion of preparing acts of terrorism under Section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006, adding that he remains in custody.

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The police added that officers searched a property in Westminster as part of the investigation. Vicki Evans, the National Police Chiefs’ Council Lead for Counter-Terrorism, confirmed that the investigation is ongoing, with specialized teams working around the clock to examine multiple lines of inquiry and determine the circumstances and motive behind the incident.

The latest arrest brings the total number of people detained by British authorities in connection with the case to seven. Earlier, police had arrested five British nationals near the base, followed by the arrest of a 25-year-old British-Iranian man in London.

According to British police, the six previous detainees were released on bail while investigations continue, with no charges filed against them so far.

Earlier, police confirmed that no explosives were found in vehicles linked to the incident, although a quantity of petrol was discovered. Investigators are continuing to examine the possibility of foreign state involvement alongside other lines of inquiry.

Regarding Iran, Counter-Terrorism Police have not stated that the seventh suspect is linked to Tehran, nor have they revealed any criminal evidence proving that the detainees were acting under direct orders from Iranian authorities.

Conversely, US officials have spoken of an Iran-linked threat targeting RAF Fairford. The Wall Street Journal reported that informed US and European officials indicated intelligence pointed to concerns about a drone attack plot against the base linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. British authorities have not presented this information as a final conclusion of their investigation.

Iran denies any involvement in the incident, as British Counter-Terrorism Police continue their investigation to determine the motive and full circumstances of the case.