Iran's ambassador to UK denies role in RAF Fairford plot, Iranian state media says

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham told MPs on Monday that a suspected terror plot involving the RAF Fairford airbase was highly likely to have been coordinated in Iran and almost certainly directed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The incident occurred on September 27 at the base, which has been used by the U.S. to conduct defensive strikes against Iran.

Following the incident, the Pentagon withdrew all B-1 bombers from the site. U.S. officials told Reuters there was a suspected plot involving Iran to launch a drone attack, while U.S. President Donald Trump stated that threats had prompted the removal of the planes.

In response to the investigation, seven men have been arrested by Counter Terrorism Policing and released on bail. The UK foreign office confirmed that Iran’s ambassador to the UK, Seyed Ali Mousavi, was summoned for talks. According to Middle East Eye, state news agency IRNA reported that Mousavi denied Iran played any role in the planned attacks on the base and expressed willingness to cooperate with ongoing UK investigations.

Twenty-nine countries, including Germany, France, the UK, and the US, have pledged to coordinate efforts against alleged Iranian plots. UK foreign minister Ed Miliband announced the designation of two Iranian nationals for their role in facilitating hostile activity on behalf of the Iranian regime. Prime Minister Burnham stated the government would use its full range of powers to target Iran's use of criminal networks and funding streams.

Brief written by urgent.news from Middle East Eye, Ajel English, Politico EU, Al-Monitor, Free Malaysia Today — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.