Two men have been re-arrested on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence service as counter-terrorism police investigate suspicious activity near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire last month.
Counter Terrorism Policing confirmed on Tuesday 20 October 2026 that a 24-year-old British national and a 25-year-old dual British-Iranian national, both from the London borough of Westminster, were detained on suspicion of an offence under Section 3 of the National Security Act 2023. Police said the country to which the investigation relates is Iran.
Investigation follows September security incident
The investigation began after reports of three suspicious vehicles near RAF Fairford in the early hours of 27 September. A major incident was declared, nearby residents were evacuated and specialist officers examined the vehicles. Police subsequently reported finding petrol in three vans, but no improvised explosive devices.
The 24-year-old was initially arrested near the airbase on 27 September. The 25-year-old was initially arrested in Westminster on 1 October. The men had previously been detained in connection with suspected terrorism offences. Their re-arrests concern the separate allegation of assisting a foreign intelligence service.
Police assess Iranian state involvement as highly likely
Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, head of National Counter Terrorism Policing, said the investigation remains active and that officers are examining numerous lines of inquiry.
He said police consider it highly likely that there is Iranian state involvement, while stressing that investigators are still examining the extent and purpose of any such involvement.
A total of seven men have been arrested in connection with the investigation. The other five remain on police bail, according to the latest police update.
National security questions
RAF Fairford is a Royal Air Force station used by the United States Air Force. The incident has attracted attention amid heightened concerns about threats to British military facilities and the possible involvement of foreign intelligence services.
Section 3 of the National Security Act 2023 concerns conduct likely to materially assist a foreign intelligence service. Arrest on suspicion of that offence does not establish that the individuals acted on behalf of Iran or that a criminal offence has been proved.
Investigation remains ongoing
No charges against the two men were reported in the police update of 20 October. Iranian state involvement remains a police assessment rather than a judicial finding, and Iran has denied involvement in the incident.
The two men are entitled to the presumption of innocence. Police have not established publicly what the suspected activity was intended to achieve.