A 25-year-old dual UK-Iranian national has been arrested in connection with a suspected terror plot near RAF Fairford, a military base in Gloucestershire, England, bringing the number of people arrested in the investigation to 6.
Counter Terrorism Policing said the man was arrested Thursday in the London borough of Westminster on suspicion of preparation of terrorist acts under Section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006. Officers also searched 2 properties in the area.
The new arrest comes after 5 British men between the ages of 23 and 25 were detained near RAF Fairford early Sunday. Police said the men, all UK nationals, were arrested in connection with explosives and terrorism offenses while in 3 vans near the military site.
All 5 were later released on police bail while the investigation continues.
RAF Fairford has long been used by the U.S. military for operations in the Middle East and has hosted U.S. bomber aircraft in recent months during the conflict involving Iran. Authorities have not said that the suspects were targeting the base or identified a specific planned attack.
Senior Counter Terrorism Policing coordinator Vicki Evans said investigators are examining “multiple lines of inquiry,” including the possibility of foreign state involvement.
Speaking to Fox News late on Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel provided Britain with intelligence about the suspected plot. British officials have not publicly confirmed the details of that intelligence.
British authorities previously said a quantity of petrol was found in the vans but no explosive devices.
The United Kingdom has not released the identities of those arrested or provided a confirmed motive.