Police granted extra time to question two men in RAF Fairford investigation

Counter Terrorism Policing says Iranian state involvement 'highly likely' as suspects can be held without charge until 27 October

By LineZotpaper

Published21 October 2026

Updated21 October 2026

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Police have been granted a warrant to hold two men for up to seven more days without charge as part of the ongoing investigation into an alleged terror plot linked to suspected Iranian state involvement at RAF Fairford, Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) has confirmed.

A warrant of further detention was granted at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, allowing the two men to be held until 27 October. Both were re-arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence service under Section 3 of the National Security Act 2023.

The suspects, a 24-year-old UK national and a 25-year-old dual UK-Iranian national, both from the borough of Westminster in London, were initially arrested in September and October. The 24-year-old was first detained near the Gloucestershire RAF base on 27 September, while the 25-year-old was arrested in Westminster on 1 October.

Five other men arrested as part of the probe remain on police bail.

CTP has said it is "highly likely that there is Iranian state involvement" in the incident. RAF Fairford has been used in recent months by US bombers for strikes against Tehran during the Middle East war, after then-prime minister Sir Keir Starmer granted Washington permission to use British bases for "defensive" strikes. The US Air Force withdrew all of its bombers from RAF Fairford earlier this month following the suspected plot.

Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, head of National Counter Terrorism Policing, said: "This is very much a live investigation, and our evidence gathering continues, but at this time our position remains the same; we consider it highly likely that there is Iranian state involvement. Our investigators are continuing to examine what that level of involvement was and the ambition behind it."

Taylor added that specialist teams had been "working tirelessly to interrogate the many lines of enquiry" and that national security investigations "can take time to progress".

Analysis

Why This Matters

The alleged plot at a UK military base hosting US bombers represents a significant escalation in tensions between the UK and Iran.
The investigation remains active and ongoing, with further arrests or charges possible as police continue to gather evidence.
The case raises questions about foreign intelligence activity on British soil and the security of military installations used by allied forces.

Background

RAF Fairford has been at the centre of UK-US military cooperation during the Middle East conflict, serving as a staging base for American bomber aircraft conducting strikes against Iranian targets. The US Air Force withdrew its B-1 bombers from the base earlier this month following the suspected terror plot, though the precise nature of the alleged threat has not been disclosed by authorities. Counter Terrorism Policing has been leading the investigation since the first arrest in late September.

Key Perspectives

Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP): Police maintain that the investigation points to Iranian state involvement and that their evidence-gathering is ongoing. Assistant Commissioner Taylor has stressed the complexity of the case and the need for time to pursue multiple lines of inquiry.

The suspects: Both men remain in custody without charge. Neither has been publicly identified or commented on the allegations. Their legal status will be reviewed by 27 October, when the warrant of further detention expires.

Iranian authorities: No official response from Iran has been reported in connection with this investigation.

What to Watch

Whether the two men are charged or released by the 27 October detention deadline.
Any further official statements from CTP or the UK government detailing the alleged plot.
Potential diplomatic or security repercussions between the UK and Iran.

Sources

Police granted more time to question men re-arrested in RAF Fairford investigation · The Independent UK
Police given more time to question two men re-arrested in RAF Fairford investigation · Sky News UK

Checked

11 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 9 supported.

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SupportedPolice were granted extra time to question two men in the RAF Fairford investigation.The Independent UK: “Police have been given more time to question the two men who were re-arrested on Tuesday as part of the ongoing investigation into a suspected terror plot near RAF Fairford.”
SupportedThe suspects can be held without charge until 27 October, and CTP says Iranian state involvement is highly likely.The Independent UK: “Following this ruling, the 24-year-old UK national and 25-year-old dual UK-Iranian national can be held without charge until 27 October. ... CTP has said it is “highly likely that there is Iranian state involvement” in the incident.”
SupportedThe detention warrant allows the men to be held for up to seven more days without charge.The Independent UK: “A warrant of further detention was granted for the two men at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) said, meaning they can now be held for up to seven days.”
Partly supportedThe investigation concerns an alleged terror plot linked to suspected Iranian state involvement at RAF Fairford.The Independent UK: “Police have been given more time to question the two men who were re-arrested on Tuesday as part of the ongoing investigation into a suspected terror plot near RAF Fairford. ... CTP has said it is “highly likely that there is Iranian state involvement” in the incident.”
SupportedBoth men were re-arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence service under Section 3 of the National Security Act 2023.The Independent UK: “The two men, both from the borough of Westminster, London, were re-arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence service under Section 3 of the National Security Act 2023.”
SupportedThe men are a 24-year-old UK national and a 25-year-old dual UK-Iranian national, both from Westminster; one was initially arrested on 27 September near the Gloucestershire RAF base and the other on 1 October in Westminster.The Independent UK: “The 24-year-old man had been initially arrested on 27 September near the Gloucestershire RAF base, and the 25-year-old was initially arrested on 1 October in Westminster.”
SupportedFive other men arrested during the probe remain on police bail.The Independent UK: “The other five men arrested during the probe remain on police bail.”
Partly supportedRAF Fairford has been used in recent months by US bombers for strikes against Tehran during the Middle East war.The Independent UK: “RAF Fairford has been used in recent months by the bombers after former prime minister Sir Keir Starmer granted Washington permission to use British bases for “defensive” strikes against Tehran during the Middle East war.”
SupportedThe US Air Force withdrew all its bombers from RAF Fairford earlier this month following the suspected plot.The Independent UK: “The US Air Force withdrew all of its bombers from RAF Fairford earlier this month following the suspected terror plot.”
SupportedTaylor said, “This is very much a live investigation, and our evidence gathering continues, but at this time our position remains the same; we consider it highly likely that there is Iranian state involvement. Our investigators are continuing to examine what that level of involvement was and the ambition behind it.”The Independent UK: ““This is very much a live investigation, and our evidence gathering continues, but at this time our position remains the same; we consider it highly likely that there is Iranian state involvement. “Our investigators are continuing to examine what that level of involvement was and the ambition behind it.”
SupportedTaylor said specialist teams had been “working tirelessly to interrogate the many lines of enquiry” and that national security investigations “can take time to progress”.The Independent UK: “specialist teams had been “working tirelessly to interrogate the many lines of enquiry involved in this hugely complex investigation”. ... “Due to their sensitive nature, national security investigations can take time to progress”