British-Iranian Arrested in U.K. Terrorism Investigation

<p>A U.K. Iranian dual national was arrested on suspicion of preparing to carry out terrorist acts in connection with an incident at an English air base used by the U.S., according to British counterterrorism police on Thursday.</p><p><strong>The big picture: </strong>Tehran has denied any involvement in the suspected bomb plot at RAF Fairford, while U.K. Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated there were "strong indications that Iran played a part" in it.</p><hr /><p><strong>Driving the news: </strong>The 27-year-old man was arrested in Westminster, London, on Thursday afternoon on suspicion of preparation of terrorist acts under Section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006, according to a statement from Counter Terrorism Policing.</p><ul><li>Police also questioned a 26-year-old British man and searched two properties in the area.</li><li>Five men in their 20s, who were arrested on Sunday following the early morning incident, remain on police bail, according to the statement.</li></ul><p><strong>Context:</strong> The British government earlier this year allowed the U.S. to use RAF Fairford for limited defensive strikes against Iranian missile capabilities.</p><ul><li>Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps noted in July that U.S. B-1 bombers flew from RAF Fairford and stated that "any base used for aggression against Iranian territory is a legitimate target for us."</li></ul><p><strong>State of play: </strong>Senior National Coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing Vicki Evans described the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident in Gloucestershire as "hugely complex."</p><ul><li>Specialist teams are "interrogating multiple lines of enquiry," she said.</li><li>"As we've made clear, we're looking at all possible angles – including possible foreign state involvement."</li></ul><p><em>Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional details throughout.</em></p>