UK-Iranian National Released on Bail After Arrest Linked to U.S. Military Base Incident

LONDON (AP) — A dual U.K.-Iranian national arrested on suspicion of plotting a terror attack following a security incident at a U.S.-run military air base in England has been released on bail, authorities said Saturday. The 25-year-old man was arrested Thursday in London on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts close to the RAF Fairford air base, which has been used by American bombers to strike Iran. He was the sixth person taken into custody and then released on bail as detectives investigate the incident. British authorities have linked the incident to Tehran. The five other men were not named, but police said they are all British nationals in their 20s and from London. Scores of residents were evacuated from their homes near the base early Sunday as armed police officers and army bomb-disposal experts responded to the situation. Police later reported finding a quantity of an accelerant – gasoline – in three vans linked to the five suspects, but no explosives. Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated that the U.K. sees "strong indications" that Iran played a part in the incident, though he did not provide details about what the suspects were planning or why the U.K. believes Iran was involved. Iran has denied involvement, asserting that it considers any base used to attack its territory a legitimate target. RAF Fairford, located 100 miles (160 kilometers) west of London, has been used by American bombers during decades of conflicts in the Middle East, including this year's war with Iran. Top U.S. officials have criticized the decision to grant the five suspects bail, with President Donald Trump stating, "I wouldn't have done that," and Secretary of State Marco Rubio noting that many people were "disturbed" by the move. The arrests occurred amid heightened tensions regarding threats from hostile states, with British security services reporting that Russia and Iran have both utilized proxies to commit crimes on U.K. soil. British officials indicated that the number of national security cases involving activity by hostile states, including Iran, increased by 50% in the six months leading to December 2025. U.K. officials have stated that proxies linked to Iran have been involved in a series of arsons and other attacks in Britain and other countries, many targeting the Jewish community and intended to instill fear. They have previously warned that Tehran could expand its targets in the U.K. if conflicts in the Middle East persist.