Two men re-arrested in RAF Fairford investigation on suspicion of assisting Iran

Counter terror police have re-arrested two men amid the ongoing investigation into the incident at RAF Fairford. A 24-year-old UK national, and a 25-year-old dual UK-Iranian national, both from London, were arrested on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence service under Section 3 of the National Security Act 2023. The country to which the investigation relates is Iran, police confirmed. The 24-year-old man was first arrested on September 27 near the RAF base, while the 25-year-old was later arrested on October 1 in London. The Head of National Counter Terrorism Policing in the UK, Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, confirmed specialist teams were working "tirelessly to interrogate the many lines of enquiry involved". So far, seven men have been arrested in the "hugely complex investigation". He added: "As a result of the ongoing efforts of our officers, earlier today two of those men were re-arrested for offences relating to Section 3 of the National Security Act - assisting a foreign intelligence service. "This is very much a live investigation, and our evidence gathering continues, but at this time our position remains the same; we consider it highly likely that there is Iranian state involvement. "Our investigators are continuing to examine what that level of involvement was and the ambition behind it. "Due to their sensitive nature, national security investigations can take time to progress, and I'm grateful to everyone who has given my teams the time and space needed to pursue this work thoroughly and effectively. "From the outset our priority has been to uphold the integrity of this investigation and hold those who wish to do our country harm, accountable. "We know the public have unanswered questions. I want to be as transparent as possible and when we are in the position to share more, we will." RAF FAIRFORD - READ THE LATEST: Throughout the probe so far, authorities have arrested seven men, all in their 20s and including one British-Iranian national, in connection with the investigation. Officials have released them on police bail as specialist officers continue their investigation. Police arrested five other British nationals on September 27 after three suspicious vehicles were reported outside RAF Fairford in the early hours. When the five were later bailed, Donald Trump intervened and admitted he was "surprised" the terror suspects had been release on bail. They remained under police investigation. Mr Trump then withdrew the US bomber fleet stationed at the British airbase despite No10 insisting RAF Fairford was safe. The sixth man, a dual UK-Iranian national, was arrested on October 1. Just a few days after the incident at the base where US bombers had been kept, Andy Burnham said there were "strong indications" the Islamic Republic played a part in the security incident. Speaking to GB News Political Editor Christopher Hope at the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool, Mr Burnham said: “What I can say is that there are strong indications that Iran played a part in what happened over the weekend. “It is, though, still an ongoing and very serious police investigation." Follow related topics: