Security incident at US-run airbase was almost certainly directed by Iran, UK prime minister says

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham asserted on Monday (Oct 12) that the suspected plot aimed at the RAF Fairford air base in Britain was likely orchestrated from Iran, with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) most probably directing it. The incident unfolded near RAF Fairford in the early hours of Sep 27, when five British men in their twenties were apprehended near the base on suspicion of terrorism and explosive offenses.

They were subsequently released without charge under stringent conditions and police are investigating the possibility of foreign state involvement. Last week, US President Donald Trump disclosed that an Iran-linked threat had prompted the removal of American B-1 bombers from the air base. US officials informed Reuters of a potential Iranian plot to launch a drone attack.

Burnham warned in parliament, "We will not tolerate these threats on our soil, we will crack down on Iran's use of criminal networks, using our full range of powers to target them and their funding streams, and we will bring further sanctions to restrict the capacity of Iran and the IRGC to do us harm."