British police have arrested a 22-year-old man in London as part of an investigation into a suspected plot to carry out a drone attack on RAF Fairford, a key airbase used by the US military. The man was arrested in Westminster on Tuesday on suspicion of preparation of terrorist acts and remains in custody. The arrest is part of a larger investigation that has already led to the arrest of six men in their 20s, including a dual British-Iranian national, who have since been released on bail.
The suspected plot is believed to involve a potential Iranian drone attack on the airbase, which is located 145km west of London and is one of the most important European bases for the US military. US officials have said that the plot is complex and involves the use of drones to attack the base. The US has removed its B-1 bomber aircraft from the base as a precautionary measure, citing concerns about the safety of its personnel.
The US military's European Command has declined to comment on the specifics of the plot, citing the need to protect intelligence. However, a spokesperson for the command has said that the US bomber force remains ready to deliver precision global strike capabilities "anywhere, anytime". The US has used RAF Fairford in previous military campaigns in the Middle East, and the base has played a key role in the current conflict.
The current conflict began at the end of February, and RAF Fairford has been used by the US to launch strikes on Iranian missile sites that were attacking ships in the Strait of Hormuz. However, the UK government has refused to allow the US to use British bases for offensive strikes on Iran, which has strained ties between the two countries. US President Donald Trump has acknowledged that a threat linked to Iran had prompted the removal of American B-1 bombers from the base.
On Monday, Trump told reporters that the US had received information about a potential threat and had decided to move its bombers to protect them. He also said that he knew who had made the threat and that they were linked to Iran. The UK police investigation is ongoing, with officers searching a property in the Westminster area and pursuing multiple lines of enquiry.
The arrest of the 22-year-old man is the latest development in the investigation, which began in September when five British men in their 20s were arrested after being seen running into fields from three white vans parked near the base. Police found a quantity of petrol at the scene but no explosive devices. A sixth man, a dual UK-Iranian national, was arrested four days later.
Iran has denied any involvement in the alleged plot, and the UK police investigation is continuing. The US and UK governments have typically enjoyed close ties, but the current conflict has highlighted differences in their approach to Iran. The US has taken a more aggressive stance, while the UK has sought to de-escalate tensions.
Key points
- The UK police arrested a 22-year-old man in London on Tuesday as part of an investigation into a suspected Iranian drone attack plot on RAF Fairford.
- The US has removed its B-1 bomber aircraft from RAF Fairford as a precautionary measure due to concerns about the safety of its personnel.
- The investigation has highlighted differences in approach between the US and UK governments, with the US taking a more aggressive stance on Iran.
