Overview
- Police opened a major counterterrorism probe after three vans were seen near RAF Fairford and petrol was found inside them on 27 September, prompting evacuations and bomb‑disposal searches but no explosives.
- Counter Terrorism Policing said two men from Westminster — a 24‑year‑old UK national and a 25‑year‑old dual UK–Iranian national — were re‑arrested on 20 October under Section 3 of the National Security Act on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence service.
- Investigators say they consider it highly likely that Iran had state involvement and have obtained authority to detain the two suspects for further questioning while evidence gathering continues.
- Seven men in total have been arrested in the inquiry; five remain on police bail and none of the suspects has been charged so far.
- The incident prompted the US to withdraw deployed bombers from RAF Fairford and has sharpened UK warnings about Iran‑linked activity on British soil while the complex investigation and diplomatic fallout continue.