British police on Thursday said they arrested a 27-year-old British-Iranian man on suspicion of preparing to attack an airbase used by the U.S. military.
Police arrested the suspect in central London on Thursday and searched two properties in the area, according to a statement from Counter Terrorism Policing.
Counterterrorism officers also questioned a 26-year-old Brit in connection with the crime. The interview was conducted “under caution,” meaning it can be used in a prosecution.
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The arrest follows an alarming security incident near the RAF Fairford base on Sunday, when British police arrested five Britons on suspicion of terror and explosive violations near the base, which has been used by U.S. bombers during the war with Iran.
Police said they found gasoline in three vehicles linked to the suspects, but did not find any explosives.
The five men, who are all in their early to mid-20s, were released Monday on bail. Police cautioned that the investigation remains ongoing and that the suspects, despite being released, are still under heavy surveillance.
Authorities also signaled they were looking for accomplices who may have been involved in the planning.
Vicki Evans, the national coordinator for counterterrorism policing, said the investigation is “hugely complex.”
“As we’ve made clear, we’re looking at all possible angles, including possible foreign state involvement,” she said.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham told the BBC on Wednesday that his government has “strong indications” that Iran played a part in Sunday’s incident.
Iran, for its part, has denied any involvement in planning the alleged terror attack at Fairford. Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Aragchi, said the fact that British authorities released the terror suspects on bail “says it all.”
“You’re barking up the wrong tree,” he wrote on X.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio also said this week that the incident “clearly involves” a foreign actor, though he did not clarify what nation was behind it or what the suspects were intending to do at the base.
Iranian officials have said that any base, either in the Middle East or beyond, that hosts U.S. forces is a legitimate target for attacks.
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