UK rearrests two men over suspected Iranian intelligence plot targeting RAF Fairford base

British police on Tuesday rearrested two men on suspicion of assisting Iranian intelligence as part of an investigation into a possible plot targeting RAF Fairford, a US-operated airbase in western England. The arrests come nearly three weeks after a security incident near the base.

The UK Counter Terrorism Policing unit said the two men—a 24-year-old British national and a 25-year-old dual British-Iranian national—were taken back into custody under the National Security Act on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence service.

The men had previously been arrested in connection with the same investigation and released on bail pending further inquiries. Police continue to investigate the circumstances of the incident to determine the nature of the suspected activities and any possible links to other parties.

The case dates back to September 27, when counter-terrorism police launched an investigation into suspicious activity near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, western England. The base, used by US forces, was the site of arrests on suspicion of preparing an act of terrorism and explosives offenses.

RAF Fairford is used for US military operations, including airstrikes against Iran during this year's ongoing conflict, which has heightened the security significance of the investigation amid suspicions of a possible Iranian intelligence connection.