One of the five men arrested near RAF Fairford called 999 himself

Live updates

1. 53m ago

   Suspect called 999 before arrests in RAF Fairford counter-terror probe

   One of five men arrested near RAF Fairford called emergency services himself shortly before the group was detained. The call occurred nearly an hour before a female farmer reported seeing men in balaclavas. Police found a quantity of petrol in three vehicles but no explosives. While the original five suspects and a sixth arrest, a 25-year-old UK-Iranian dual national, have been released on bail, counter-terror police continue their investigation into the incident. Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated there are strong indications that foreign actors, specifically Iran, played a part.

   Why it matters

   RAF Fairford is a strategic airbase used by US bombers for air strikes against Iran. The incident has escalated into a diplomatic friction point after the UK government suggested Iranian involvement, a claim Iran's foreign minister denied.

   What is confirmed

   • Five men were arrested near RAF Fairford in the early hours of Sunday.
   • One of the arrested men called 999 himself nearly an hour before a farmer reported seeing masked men.
   • Police found a quantity of petrol but no explosives in three vehicles.
   • A 25-year-old UK-Iranian dual national was arrested in Westminster on Thursday and later released on bail.
   • The five original suspects have been released on bail.
   • Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated investigators believe foreign actors were involved.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The incident was a foiled bomb plot.
   • Iran played a part in the incident.

   What to watch next

   • Formal charges against the six suspects
   • Official forensic reports on the petrol found in the vehicles
   • Official response from the Iranian government to the Prime Minister's claims
   Sources used for this update (25)

   1. www.bbc.com — What we know about RAF Fairford incident and counter-terror probe
   2. WSJ — Mystery Deepens Over Alleged U.K. Terror Incident After Suspects Are Freed
   3. The New York Times — No Bombs Found in U.K. Case, but Officials Say Threat to Bases Is Real
   4. BBC — 'Quantity of petrol' but no explosives found in three vehicles near RAF Fairford
   5. CNN — RAF Fairford: Suspect in alleged plot against British base called police before arrest, UK media report
   6. thetimes.com — Suspect foiled RAF Fairford ‘bomb plot’ by ringing police himself
   7. www.dailymail.com — RAF Fairford 'bomb plot' was foiled when 'one of the suspects rang the police on himself'
   8. www.mirror.co.uk — Andy Burnham says 'strong indications Iran played a part' in RAF Fairford 'terror plot'
   9. www.bbc.co.uk — 'Quantity of petrol' but no explosives found in three vehicles near RAF Fairford - BBC
   10. tv1.bada.tv — RAF Fairford 근처에서 체포된 다섯 명 중 한 명이 999에 직접 전화를 걸었습니다. - ....
   11. uk.news.yahoo.com — RAF Fairford plot was foiled after suspect called police himself - Yahoo News UK
   12. www.bbc.co.uk — Watch: Detail about new call to police changes RAF Fairford timeline - BBC
   confidence 90%