An Iranian man and woman were arrested after they allegedly tried to gain entry to the Faslane naval base, home to British nuclear submarines, amid the ongoing Iran-US-Israeli conflict.
A Sky News report said the woman is Romanian.
Police Scotland reportedly said a man, aged 34, and a woman, aged 31, were detained at HM Naval Base Clyde at around 5pm local time on Thursday.
The Royal Navy said the pair “unsuccessfully attempted” to enter the facility near Helensburgh in Argyll and Bute, the BBC reported.
The man and woman are due to appear at Dumbarton Sheriff Court on Monday – according to a police statement. He also said that investigations are currently underway.
Where is Faslane Naval Base?
The Faslane base, located on Gare Loch, about 25 miles (40 km) north-west of Glasgow, is home to all of the Royal Navy’s nuclear submarines, including the UK’s four Vanguard-class ballistic missile submarines, which carry Trident nuclear missiles.
The arrests come amid the ongoing US-Iran-Israeli conflict – which has passed its third week.
Conflict between Israel, USA and Iran
Iran launched a wave of retaliatory attacks after the US and Israel jointly attacked the Islamic Republic on Saturday, February 28. Explosions were reported across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, among other key Middle Eastern bases that are also home to US military bases.
The Islamic Republic is also attacking ships in the Strait of Hormuz – which serves as a critical corridor for oil transit. It is a key route for about a quarter of the world’s liquefied natural gas exports and by sea from the Gulf countries to global markets.
The UK allows the US to use the bases to strike targets in the Strait of Hormuz
On Friday, March 21, the UK agreed to allow the US to use British bases to strike Iranian sites targeting the Strait of Hormuz, the BBC reported.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has previously authorized US forces to use the bases only for defensive operations aimed at preventing Iranian missile attacks that could threaten British lives or interests.
US President Donald Trump reportedly said the UK “should have acted much more quickly”, while Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi claimed Sir Keir was “putting British lives at risk”.
