Dual U.K.-Iranian national arrested over security incident at U.S.-run air base in England – NBC News

Dual U.K.-Iranian national arrested over security incident at U.S.-run air base in England  NBC News

LONDON — Police on Thursday arrested a dual U.K.-Iranian national on suspicion of plotting a terror attack following a security incident at a U.S.-run military air base in England that British authorities have linked to Tehran. The 27-year-old man was arrested in London on Thursday, and police have searched two properties in the U.K. capital, Counter Terrorism Policing said in a statement. A 26-year-old British national was interviewed by police “under caution,” which means the interview was recorded and can be used in future prosecutions. On Sunday, five men, all British nationals in their 20s and from London, were arrested on suspicion of explosives and terror offenses close to the RAF Fairford air base, which has been used by American bombers to strike Iran.

The suspects have since been released on bail. Police say they found a quantity of an accelerant — gasoline — in three vans linked to the five suspects, but no explosives. Vicki Evans, the senior national coordinator for counterterrorism policing, said the investigation “is hugely complex, and our specialist teams are interrogating multiple lines of inquiry. “As we’ve made clear, we’re looking at all possible angles — including possible foreign state involvement,” she said. Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said the U.K. sees “strong indications” that Iran played a part in the incident. Iran denies involvement.