U.K.-Iranian man held over U.K. airbase incident

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Published – October 02, 2026 04:56 am IST – London

A B‑1B Lancer bomber arrives at RAF Fairford airbase, after police declared a major incident at the base and arrested several men on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act, who have since been released on bail, in Fairford, Gloucestershire, Britain, September 29, 2026.
| Photo Credit: Reuters

A man with dual UK-Iranian citizenship was arrested Thursday (October 1, 2026) over a mysterious "major incident" at an airbase in southwest England as Israel said it had warned London about an attack.

The sixth arrest came after British Prime Minister Andy Burnham told the BBC there were "strong indications that Iran played a part in what happened over the weekend at RAF Fairford", a base used by the U.S. military in its war against Iran.

Iran denounced the British government's "baseless accusations" and condemned London for making military bases and facilities under its jurisdiction "available for the planning and execution of the U.S.-Israeli military aggression against Iran".

Counter Terrorism Policing said in a statement Thursday that a "25-year-old man, a dual UK/Iranian national, was arrested" in Westminster in central London "on suspicion of preparation of terrorist acts".

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, speaking to Fox News late Wednesday (September 30, 2026), said Israel had tipped off Britain about a plot.

"We gave the Brits the intel that there was going to be an attack, and it's an Iranian-sponsored attack," he said.

Police were called to the base in the Cotswolds early Sunday, triggering an evacuation of the nearby village and the declaration of a "major incident".

A farmer living in the village of Whelford near the airbase called the police after seeing vans blocking a road and a group of masked men.

Police arrested five London-based Britons, all men in their mid-20s, at the scene and examined several vehicles. The men were then released on bail on Monday (September 28, 2026), a move criticised by Washington.

Police then revealed no explosives were found at the scene and the nature of the threat has not been explained by officials.

Adding to the mystery, British media reported that officers were alerted to the incident by one of the initial suspects but police have not commented on the reports.

Vicki Evans, senior national coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing, said in a statement Thursday that the investigation is "hugely complex" and police are looking at "all possible angles — including possible foreign state involvement".

Iran's embassy in London earlier said it "categorically rejects and strongly condemns" speculation it was involved while Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Mr. Burnham was "barking up the wrong tree".

Britain gave the U.S. the greenlight to use RAF Fairford for defensive strikes against Iran, drawing Tehran's ire and unease from some residents in the Gloucestershire countryside where the base is located.

Published – October 02, 2026 04:56 am IST

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Fonte: The Hindu – International