UK police rearrest two men suspected of aiding Iran in RAF Fairford terror plot

The men were re‑detained under the National Security Act after earlier bail, as investigators continue to probe Iranian involvement.

By Felo News Desk · Published Tue, 20 Oct 2026 18:03:03 GMT

British police said on Tuesday they rearrested two men on suspicion of assisting Iran's intelligence service in the suspected terror plot at the U.S.-run RAF Fairford air base.

What happened

Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) announced that a 24‑year‑old British national and a 25‑year‑old dual UK‑Iranian national were taken into custody under Section 3 of the National Security Act 2023. Both men had previously been arrested – the British national on 27 September, the dual national on 1 October – and were released on bail before being re‑arrested on 20 October.

What the reports add

Gulf News reported that the men were originally arrested, bailed pending further investigation, and that police had found gasoline in three vans near the base but no explosives. The Standard added that CTP described the Iranian state involvement as “highly likely” and that the arrests were part of a wider probe that also includes five other men who remain on bail. The Associated Press piece, reproduced by the Winnipeg Free Press, echoed the details of the rearrests and the use of the National Security Act, without providing additional specifics.

What was said

Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, head of National Counter Terrorism Policing, told reporters that specialist teams have been working “tirelessly” since the 27 September incident and that the investigation continues to examine “many lines of inquiry” into what he described as a “hugely complex” case (Standard). Taylor also said it is “highly likely that there is Iranian state involvement” (Standard).

How it came about

The rearrests follow a series of earlier actions linked to the RAF Fairford investigation. On 27 September, police responded to a farmer’s report of masked individuals and three vans near the base, leading to the initial detention of five men (Felo article UK nationals arrested over alleged RAF Fairford terror plot, 28 Sept). Those five were released on bail after no explosives were found, though petrol was recovered from the vans (Felo article London suspects released on bail after petrol found, 29 Sept). A sixth suspect was arrested on 1 October (Felo article Sixth suspect arrested in RAF Fairford terror investigation). Prime Minister Andy Burnham publicly linked the plot to Iran on 30 September (Felo article UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham says Iran likely behind RAF Fairford terror plot). The latest rearrests therefore extend the investigation that began with the September incidents.

Key facts

Two men – a 24‑year‑old British national and a 25‑year‑old dual UK‑Iranian national – were rearrested on 20 October under the National Security Act. (gulfnews.com)
Police found gasoline in three vans near RAF Fairford but no explosives. (gulfnews.com)
Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor said Iranian state involvement is highly likely. (standard.co.uk)