British national arrested in connection with RAF Fairford incident

A 22-year-old British national was arrested on Tuesday in connection with an alleged terrorist act near RAF Fairford, according to counter-terror police. The arrest took place in Westminster, London, as part of the ongoing investigation into the incident that occurred on September 27 near the Gloucestershire airbase. This is the seventh arrest related to the incident, but no one has been charged yet.

The incident prompted a major incident declaration and the evacuation of several homes following the discovery of three "suspicious vehicles" near the airbase. Counter Terrorism Policing's senior national coordinator, Vicki Evans, stated that the investigation is ongoing and they are pursuing multiple lines of inquiry. On September 27, five other men between the ages of 23 and 25 were also arrested near the base on suspicion of explosives offences and preparing a terrorist act.

They were subsequently released on police bail. A sixth man, a 25-year-old dual Iranian British national, was arrested on October 1 and also released on bail. RAF Fairford, a US Air Force base for decades, recently saw the US withdraw its B-1 and B-52 bombers after the UK approved their use for defensive strikes against Iran. US President Donald Trump attributed the removal of the bombers to "some threats" to the base, though he did not provide specific details.

The US Vice-President, JD Vance, stated the bombers were moved "out of an abundance of caution," following US media reports suggesting Iran was planning a drone attack. However, the BBC has not verified these reports. US European Command, which oversees American military activities in Europe, declined to comment on intelligence matters but affirmed the US will continue to assess threats and take necessary precautions to protect personnel and facilities.