British police rearrested two men on October 20 on suspicion of assisting Iranian intelligence. The suspects are a 24-year-old British national and a 25-year-old dual British-Iranian national. The case is linked to a security incident near RAF Fairford, a military airbase used by the United States military in England, in September.
The UK’s counterterrorism police said the two men were rearrested on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence service under the National Security Act.
The 24-year-old British national was first arrested near RAF Fairford on September 27, while the 25-year-old dual British-Iranian national was arrested on October 1. Both men had previously been released on bail pending further investigations but have now been rearrested.
RAF Fairford, located in Gloucestershire in western England, was used by US military aircraft to conduct airstrikes against Iran during the war earlier this year. Police launched security operations after receiving reports of suspicious vehicles near the airbase on September 27.
Laurence Taylor, head of the UK’s Counter Terrorism Policing, described the case as highly complex and said investigators were continuing to examine several possible lines of inquiry.
“This remains an ongoing investigation. We consider Iranian state involvement to be a highly likely possibility,” Taylor said.
He added that investigators were continuing to establish the extent of any Iranian involvement and the possible motives behind the suspected activities.
Five other men previously arrested in connection with the incident have also been released on bail, while investigations continue. According to reports, no one has been formally charged in connection with the case so far.
Although British authorities consider Iranian state involvement a strong possibility, the investigation remains ongoing as officials seek to establish the circumstances surrounding the case and the motives of those involved.
Source: Reuters
