UK Links Fairford Plot to Iran, Tehran Denies Allegations

The British government says Iran was highly likely to have coordinated a suspected plot near RAF Fairford, a UK airbase used extensively by the US Air Force. Prime Minister Andy Burnham told Parliament that the operation was almost certainly directed by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), warning that Britain would not tolerate threats on its soil and might impose further sanctions. The security alert began after five British nationals were arrested near the base on September 27 on suspicion of terrorism and explosives offenses. They were later released on bail under strict conditions, and another arrest followed days later. Investigators reportedly found accelerants, including petroleum, but no viable explosives; the group’s capability and the seriousness of the alleged plot remain uncertain. The incident nevertheless caused a major security response and diplomatic repercussions. Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said Iran’s ambassador had been summoned to hear Britain’s objections. Iran’s state news agency quoted Ambassador Ali Moussavi as rejecting the accusations and demanding evidence. Britain also announced asset freezes, travel bans and director disqualifications for two people it alleges were involved in hostile activity on behalf of Iran: IRGC counterespionage official Ruhollah Bazghandi and Shahram Ali Reza Tamarzadeh Jakki, whom it described as a facilitator for the Zindashti criminal network. Separately, 29 countries issued a joint statement condemning alleged Iranian violent attacks and hybrid activities, including lethal plotting, arson, sabotage and cyberattacks. The article notes that US B-1 bombers left Fairford after the incident, while B-52 bombers remained. It also describes the base’s strategic significance and location in southern England. While British officials presented their assessment as highly likely, the article emphasizes that the alleged plot’s actual danger and the evidence behind the accusations remain unresolved publicly.

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said it was “highly likely” that a suspected plot targeting RAF Fairford was coordinated in Iran and almost certainly directed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The base in southwest England is used by the US military and had been used by American bombers to strike Iran. The incident came to public attention after five British men were arrested near the base on September 27 on suspicion of terrorism and explosives offences. Two other men, including a British-Iranian national, were also arrested; all were later released without charge on police bail. Police said petrol was found in seized vans but no viable explosive device was recovered. US officials described a suspected Iranian-linked plan to carry out a drone attack, and President Donald Trump said a threat connected to Iran had prompted the withdrawal of bombers from Fairford. British authorities have also pointed to possible foreign-state involvement. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said an unnamed individual based in Iran was believed to be behind the events. Iran denied any involvement. Its ambassador to Britain, Seyed Ali Mousavi, called on the UK to provide evidence for its allegations. Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband summoned the ambassador for talks. Burnham said Britain would use its powers against Iranian-linked criminal networks and funding, and impose further sanctions aimed at limiting Iran’s and the IRGC’s capacity to threaten the UK. A statement issued by the foreign ministries of nearly 30 countries condemned alleged Iranian-linked violent activity, including lethal plotting, arson, sabotage and cyber-attacks. The article notes that Britain has previously accused Iran of supporting plots and attempted assassinations through criminal networks and proxies—charges Tehran has repeatedly rejected. It also reports prior British claims of 20 credible Iran-backed threats to kill or kidnap people in the UK, a July ban on support for the IRGC and HAYI, and sanctions against two Iranian nationals accused of links to the IRGC and a criminal network.

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the UK government assesses that an alleged attempt to attack RAF Fairford, a U.S.-run military air base in England, was “highly likely” coordinated in Iran and “almost certainly” directed by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard. The base has been used by American bombers to strike Iran during the ongoing war. Burnham told lawmakers that the UK would not tolerate threats on its territory. The alleged plot came to light after residents near the base were evacuated on September 27 while armed police and army bomb-disposal experts responded. Police have arrested seven men in connection with the investigation, but all have been released on bail and no one has been charged. Authorities said they found gasoline, described as an accelerant, in three vans connected to the initial five suspects; they found no explosives. The men are in their 20s. Six are British nationals, and one holds dual British and Iranian citizenship. The British government also summoned Iran’s ambassador to protest what it called Iran’s continued efforts to undermine the security of the UK and its partners through criminal networks, proxy groups and state-backed activity. The report notes that the United States withdrew its bombers from RAF Fairford the week before Burnham’s remarks. The Trump administration said it believed the base faced Iranian threats intended to kill as many American troops as possible and destroy U.S. aircraft. The article presents the prime minister’s assessment and official statements while noting that the investigation remains ongoing and no charges have been laid.

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said it was “highly likely” that a suspected plot targeting RAF Fairford was coordinated in Iran and “almost certainly” directed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The comments concern a security incident at the southwest England airbase, where five British men were arrested nearby in the early hours of September 27 on suspicion of terrorism and explosives offences. The article reports that the arrests prompted a major security response. RAF Fairford had been used by US bombers to carry out strikes on Iran. According to US officials who spoke to Reuters, authorities suspected that the alleged Iran-linked plot involved a drone attack. US President Donald Trump said the previous week that an Iran-linked threat had led to a decision to withdraw the bombers from the base. The article’s headline and introductory summary also report that Tehran denies involvement and has demanded evidence from London. The account presents the allegation as a likelihood expressed by Burnham, rather than as an established finding, and attributes details about the suspected drone plot to US officials. It does not provide further evidence, describe the suspects’ identities or report the outcome of the investigation or arrests. Overall, the report focuses on the UK’s assessment of a possible Iran-linked threat, the security response at the airbase, and the competing positions of British officials and Tehran.