UK-Iranian Dual National Bailed Over RAF Fairford Terror Probe — SkimNews
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- The 25-year-old UK-Iranian dual national was arrested in Westminster on suspicion of preparation of terrorist acts in connection with the RAF Fairford incident and released on bail, with searches of two Westminster properties now concluded.
- Five other men — UK nationals from London aged 23 to 25 — were arrested in the early hours after vehicles were reported heading toward the USAF base in Gloucestershire, and were released on police bail on Monday in what police called an "investigative decision grounded in experience and strategy."
- The Fairford incident triggered a major incident declaration and evacuation of dozens of homes; one of the five men had dialled 999 about an hour before a local farmer alerted police to a "large group" of masked men near the vehicles.
- Prime Minister Andy Burnham chaired a Cobra meeting and said there were "strong indications" Iran played a part, while Tehran's embassy in London said it "categorically rejects and strongly condemns" what it called "unfounded and malicious speculations."
- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Fox News it was clear a "foreign actor" was involved — without providing evidence — and President Donald Trump said he was "surprised" the men had been released, claiming "we know everything about them" and the UK had worked with the US "very closely."
- RAF Fairford has hosted US bombers taking off for strikes on Iran after the UK approved US use of the base, and said in July that any base used for aggression against Iranian territory "constitutes a legitimate target for our forces."
Why it matters: The Fairford case became a transatlantic flashpoint: UK officials publicly pointed at Iran, Tehran denied involvement, and Trump openly criticized Britain's decision to bail all six suspects — exposing diplomatic friction over how to handle a suspected Iran-linked plot at a UK base whose runways have hosted American bombers striking Iranian territory.
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