Israel's Netanyahu says co-pilot tried to crash Tel Aviv-bound plane

Israeli President Isaac Herzog stated that he concurred with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's claim that Iran was planning an attack at RAF Fairford. In an interview with the BBC, Herzog affirmed the intelligence Israel provided to Britain regarding the impending attack. UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham later revealed that Iran was indeed behind the incident at the base.

Five men were apprehended near the base's perimeter and have since been released on bail as the investigation continues. Despite the strained relations between the two nations, particularly due to the UK's sanctions on Israeli settlements in the West Bank, Herzog affirmed that intelligence sharing persisted between Britain and Israel.

The Mossad, Israel's foreign intelligence service, reportedly possessed significant human intelligence sources inside Iran, which likely facilitated the early warning system. Herzog emphasized the mutual respect for intelligence cooperation, adding that no one wished to compromise national security interests. While the incident involved a strategic US airbase, Israel also aimed to protect its ally.

US President Donald Trump confirmed that suspects had been under surveillance for some time, while US Secretary of State Marco Rubio affirmed the involvement of foreign actors. Netanyahu expressed frustration over the UK sanctions, stating that Israel had shared intelligence with the UK about the impending attack. Regarding the diplomatic rift, Herzog criticized the UK's position on sanctions, accusing them of insulting Israel unreasonably.

UK Prime Minister Burnham confirmed that there was strong evidence pointing towards Iran's involvement, though the five arrested British men had not yet been ruled out as terrorists. One suspect had even alerted authorities, adding complexity to the motives behind the incident. The ongoing investigation entails multiple strands, from potential petrol smuggling to alleged Iranian proxies aiming to bomb the US base.