Britain officially accused Iran of plotting an attack on a US air base
The British government officially accused Iran of involvement in an alleged plot to attack the RAF Fairford military air base used by American strategic bombers. British authorities believe the operation was most likely coordinated from Tehran under the direction of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham made the announcement on Monday, October 12, addressing members of the House of Commons.
“I can confirm our assessment: it is highly likely that the operation was coordinated from Iran and almost certainly carried out under the direction of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps,” Burnham said.
This is the first official statement by the British government directly attributing responsibility for the September incident at RAF Fairford to Iranian security structures.
The Prime Minister stressed that the UK will not tolerate such threats on its soil and is prepared to use additional tools to counter foreign intelligence services.
Suspicious vehicles discovered near US air base
The incident occurred on September 27 in Gloucestershire, southwest England, near RAF Fairford.
At around 00:45, police received a report of three suspicious vehicles heading towards the military site. Armed officers arrived at the scene and detained five men.
The detainees were initially suspected of explosives offences. The investigation was later reclassified over possible terrorist attack preparations.
Due to the security threat, authorities evacuated residents of approximately 85 nearby homes. Explosive ordnance disposal specialists examined the suspicious vehicles.
No explosives were found in the vehicles, but police reported seizing a quantity of petrol.
The five men initially detained were released on conditional bail, retaining suspect status.
Two further individuals were later arrested. Among them was a 25-year-old man with dual British and Iranian citizenship. A total of seven people were detained in the investigation.
As of October 12, the investigation is ongoing. British authorities have not disclosed details of the alleged attack plan or announced final charges.
US withdrew strategic bombers from the air base
RAF Fairford is of particular importance to US armed forces as a base for American strategic air power in Europe.
In particular, US B-1B Lancer bombers, which had previously taken part in military operations against Iran, were stationed there.
After the September incident, the United States withdrew 12 B-1B aircraft from the base.
According to British media, the decision followed concerns about possible drone attacks and the need to enhance security at American military facilities in Europe.
However, no official confirmation has been provided that the bombers' withdrawal was directly linked to the detention of suspects.
Burnham also referred to another incident at RAF Molesworth, used by US military and intelligence structures.
The Prime Minister thanked British police and military personnel for their rapid response to security threats. Authorities have not announced a link between the two incidents.
London imposed new sanctions and summoned Iran's ambassador
Following the official accusation against Tehran, the British government announced additional restrictive measures against individuals linked to Iranian intelligence activities.
Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband announced sanctions against two Iranian nationals:
- Ruhollah Bazghandi — head of counterintelligence operations of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
- Shahram Ali Reza Tamarzadeh Jaki — alleged facilitator for the Zindashti criminal network, which British authorities associate with plots against Iranian dissidents.
The sanctions include asset freezes, travel bans to the UK, and restrictions on company directorships.
The British government did not claim that both sanctioned individuals were directly involved in the September incident at RAF Fairford.
Additionally, the UK Foreign Office summoned Iran's ambassador to formally protest the alleged activities of Iranian structures on British soil.
“We will not tolerate threats on our territory. We will disrupt Iran's use of criminal networks and restrict their sources of funding,” Burnham stressed.
US and European countries backed the UK's accusations
On October 12, the UK and the US, together with other Western states, issued a statement condemning the alleged operations of Iranian intelligence services abroad.
A total of 29 states supported the statement, including Germany, France, Poland, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Canada, and Australia.
The participants endorsed London's official assessment of Iran's involvement in the September 27 events at RAF Fairford.
The document also refers to the alleged involvement of Tehran-linked networks in attack preparations, arson, sabotage, cyberattacks, and other hybrid operations against Western states.
Particular attention is paid to attacks against Jewish communities, Iranian journalists, and American facilities in Europe.
The signatory countries pledged to strengthen cooperation between law enforcement and intelligence services to prevent such operations and hold those responsible accountable.
Iran rejected London's accusations
Iran denies involvement in the alleged plot against RAF Fairford.
Tehran officials rejected the British accusations and demanded evidence of the involvement of Iranian state structures in the incident.
Thus, the claim of the IRGC's leading role remains the British government's official assessment. Investigation materials supporting the suspects' alleged links to Iranian intelligence have not been fully published.
British law enforcement continue to establish the circumstances of the September incident and the possible role of foreign organizers.
The UK government stressed that further sanctions will aim to limit Iran's ability to conduct such operations abroad.
Based on materials from: the UK government, the UK Foreign Office, a joint statement by 29 states, British counter-terrorism police, The Guardian.