UK arrests seventh person in RAF Fairford investigation

British counterterrorism police have arrested a seventh person in their investigation into an incident near RAF Fairford, a UK airbase used by the US Air Force. The arrest comes days after the United States moved bombers from the base, a decision President Donald Trump attributed to “some threats.”

The 22-year-old British national was arrested in Westminster, London, on Tuesday on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts, police said. The investigation concerns activity near the Gloucestershire base on September 27. No one has been charged.

Police declared a major incident that day and evacuated dozens of homes after receiving reports of three “suspicious vehicles” near the airbase, the BBC reported. Five men, aged 23 to 25, were detained in the early hours after vehicles were reported to be travelling toward the base. They were initially arrested on suspicion of explosives offences and later on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act.

All five were released on police bail. Police described that release as an “investigative decision” that was “grounded in experience and strategy,” according to the BBC. A sixth man, a 25-year-old dual Iranian-British national arrested in Westminster on October 1, was also released on bail.

The nature of the September 27 incident remains unclear. Vicki Evans, the senior national coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing, said the case “remains a live investigation.” Detectives “continue to pursue multiple lines of enquiry” and “remain committed to investigating all possible angles,” she said.

RAF Fairford, near the village of Whelford, has been used by the US Air Force for decades. In recent months, the United States has flown B-1 and B-52 bombers from the base to the Middle East after the UK approved a request to use Fairford for defensive strikes against Iran, the BBC reported.

The US moved its B-1 and B-52 bombers from Fairford on Sunday. It is unclear whether that decision was connected to the arrests, Al Jazeera reported. The BBC reported that the aircraft had returned to America.

Asked on Monday whether a specific threat prompted the move, Trump said: “Yeah I think we can say that. They didn’t fly out by accident.” He added: “There were some threats. And rather than tempting the enemy, we’ll capture the enemy and beat the enemy.” US Vice-President JD Vance had earlier said the bombers were moved “out of an abundance of caution.”

Al Jazeera reported that Trump also told reporters the people behind the threat “would be linked to Iran,” without elaborating. British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the UK saw “strong indications” of an Iranian role in the incident, according to Al Jazeera. The outlet reported that Iran denied involvement and had previously said it considered any base used to attack its territory a legitimate target.

US media reports suggested intelligence about a possible Iranian drone attack prompted the bomber move, but the BBC said it had not verified those reports. Before Trump’s comments, a No 10 spokesperson had insisted RAF Fairford was safe, the BBC reported.