UK blames Iran for airbase plot, sanctions two Iranian nationals

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham declared on Monday that an attack attempt on a U.S.-operated military air base in England was "almost certainly" carried out by Iran's Revolutionary Guard. The incident at RAF Fairford, a base frequently utilized by American bombers to strike Iran during the ongoing conflict, raised concerns among British authorities.

Seven individuals were apprehended in connection with the alleged plot, but all have since been released on bail without charge. Prime Minister Burnham stated, "We will not tolerate these threats on our soil." The assessment from British authorities is that the attack was directed by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard. Following the incident, residents living near the air base were evacuated on September 27 as law enforcement officers and bomb-disposal experts responded to the situation.

Police discovered gasoline in three vehicles connected to the five initial suspects, but no explosives were found. The arrested suspects, all in their twenties, include six British nationals and one dual U.K.-Iranian citizen. In response to the attack attempt, the British government summoned the Iranian ambassador to express disapproval of Iran's ongoing efforts to jeopardize the security of the United Kingdom and its international partners through criminal networks, proxy groups, and state-backed aggressive actions.

The U.S. had previously withdrawn its bombers from RAF Fairford, and the Trump administration had expressed concerns that the base faced Iranian threats aimed at killing American troops and destroying U.S. aircraft.