{
  "id": 14002796,
  "title": "‘Iran smells weakness’: Burnham challenged over IRGC after airbase plot",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/iran-smells-weakness-burnham-challenged-over-irgc-after-airbase-plot-14002796",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-12T16:45:34.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National Business",
    "slug": "the-national-business",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/uk/2026/10/12/iran-smells-weakness-burnham-challenged-over-irgc-after-airbase-plot/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Prime Minister Andy Burnham faced criticism for his handling of Iran's alleged plots against Britain, specifically targeting its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Former Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden suggested that Iran viewed the UK as an adversary and \"smells weakness\", urging the government to take direct action if Iran succeeded in attacking a British airbase. Dowden mentioned that Iran had previously attempted attacks at airbases in Diego Garcia, Akrotiri, and Fairford. The UK imposed sanctions on the IRGC in July following the initial incidents, followed by a series of attacks on dissidents.\n\nA successful Iranian attack would necessitate direct action, Dowden stated, and called for enhanced support and assistance to allies under constant attack, particularly in light of recent targeting of Saudi Arabia. Burnham maintained that Britain was taking the most robust response to the situation, emphasizing its role in addressing the threat.\n\nUnder the latest sanctions, Ruhollah Bazghandi, the head of counter-espionage operations within the IRGC, was subject to an asset freeze, travel ban, and restriction from running UK-based companies. Shahram Ali Reza Tamarzadeh Jakki, a key organizer of the Zindashti criminal network, was also sanctioned for supporting planned attacks against Iranian dissidents.\n\nThe UK joined nearly 30 other countries, including the US, Canada, France, and Germany, in condemning Iran's use of violent attacks, which encompassed lethal plotting, arson, sabotage, cyber-attacks, and hybrid activities against the UK and its partners. Burnham informed the House of Commons that it was highly likely that the incidents at RAF Fairford, an airbase used by the US for attacks on Iran, were coordinated in Iran, most likely directed by the IRGC. Seven men were arrested but released in connection with a suspected attack on the base in Gloucestershire, with police considering whether a foreign state was involved. The US removed its B-1 bomber aircraft from the base after the attack, raising uncertainty over the nature of the threat.\n\nBurnham emphasized that Britain would not tolerate threats on its soil, vowing to crack down on Iran's use of criminal networks and impose further sanctions to limit Iran and the IRGC's capacity to harm the UK. The Foreign Secretary, Ed Miliband, reiterated Iran's attempts to undermine the security of the UK and its allies through criminal networks, proxy groups, and state-backed malign activity, which were unacceptable. The Iranian ambassador to Britain, Seyed Ali Mousavi, denied any Iranian involvement in the suspected plot, emphasizing Tehran's willingness to cooperate with British authorities in investigating the matter.",
  "summary": "Britain’s Prime Minister Andy Burnham was urged on Monday to take direct action against Iran if it succeeded in attacking a British airbase. The UK announced sanctions against two Iranian nationals who the government said had been involved in Iranian plots to attack Britain, which Mr Burnham blamed on Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps . He was told by former deputy prime minister Oliver…",
  "key_points": [
    "Prime Minister Burnham faces criticism over Iran's alleged plots against Britain's IRGC.",
    "Former Deputy PM Oliver Dowden warns Iran smells weakness and demands direct action.",
    "UK imposes sanctions on IRGC following attacks on dissidents and bases."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 9,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Security incident at US-run airbase was almost certainly directed by Iran, UK prime minister says",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/security-incident-at-us-run-airbase-was-almost-certainly-directed-by",
        "published": "2026-10-12T15:00:37.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "UK PM Burnham says Iran's IRGC likely behind RAF Fairford incident",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/uk-pm-burnham-says-irans-irgc-likely-behind-raf-fairford-incident",
        "published": "2026-10-12T15:11:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Financial Times",
        "title": "UK imposes new sanctions on Iran over RAF Fairford incident",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/uk-imposes-new-sanctions-on-iran-over-raf-fairford-incident",
        "published": "2026-10-12T15:43:05.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Al-Monitor",
        "title": "UK PM Burnham says Iran's IRGC likely behind RAF Fairford incident",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/uk-pm-burnham-says-irans-irgc-likely-behind-raf-fairford-incident-13996079",
        "published": "2026-10-12T15:46:28.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Ajel English",
        "title": "29 nations condemn Iran’s hostile activities, back UK claims over Fairford base",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/29-nations-condemn-irans-hostile-activities-back-uk-claims-over",
        "published": "2026-10-12T16:01:37.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Punch",
        "title": "30 countries condemn Iran over UK airbase incident",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/30-countries-condemn-iran-over-uk-airbase-incident",
        "published": "2026-10-12T16:32:06.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The National UAE",
        "title": "‘Iran smells weakness’: Burnham challenged over IRGC after airbase plot",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/iran-smells-weakness-burnham-challenged-over-irgc-after-airbase-plot",
        "published": "2026-10-12T16:45:34.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Le Monde English",
        "title": "British airbase plot 'almost certainly directed' by Iran Guards says PM Burnham",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/british-airbase-plot-almost-certainly-directed-by-iran-guards-says-pm",
        "published": "2026-10-12T17:37:21.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}