Two Men Re-arrested on Suspicion of Assisting Iran Near RAF Fairford

Source reports published 20 Oct 2026, 10:00 am – 21 Oct 2026, 6:18 am AEST

Counter-terrorism police have re-arrested two men in connection with an incident near RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire. The arrests relate to an investigation into a suspected plot involving Iranian intelligence service assistance, with police considering it highly likely that Iranian state involvement was present.

What happened

• Following an incident on September 27th near RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire, police arrested five men after discovering three white vans carrying petrol.
• The men, initially arrested on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act and preparation of a terrorist act, were later released on police bail.
• Subsequently, two additional men – a 24-year-old UK national and a 25-year-old dual UK-Iranian national – were re-arrested on Tuesday.
• These arrests relate to Section 3 of the National Security Act, concerning the assistance of a foreign intelligence service.
• Police, led by Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, stated they considered it highly likely that Iranian state involvement was present in the incident.
• The investigation, involving specialist teams, is ongoing, with police continuing to examine the extent of Iranian involvement and the ambitions behind the suspected plot.
• Seven men are currently under investigation, and no charges have yet been filed.
• The incident led to the evacuation of residents near the base and the withdrawal of US B-1 bombers from RAF Fairford.

Original reporting

• BBC: Two men re-arrested on suspicion of assisting Iran intelligence after RAF Fairford incident
  2026-10-20T16:53:20.387000+00:00
• Guardian: Two men re-arrested on suspicion of aiding Iran over RAF Fairford incident
  2026-10-20T00:00:00+00:00
• Sky News: Two men re-arrested on suspicion of assisting Iran after RAF Fairford incident
  2026-10-20T15:17:00+00:00
• PBS NewsHour: British police rearrest 2 men on suspicion of assisting Iran over suspected plot at a U.S.-run air base
  2026-10-20T20:18:49+00:00
• GB News: Two men re-arrested in RAF Fairford investigation on suspicion of assisting Iran
  2026-10-20T16:46:24+00:00
• South China Morning Post: UK rearrests duo on suspicion of aiding Iran in alleged plot at US-run airbase
  2026-10-20T17:49:08+00:00