UK Assesses Iran's IRGC Directed Plot Against RAF Fairford Base

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham told the House of Commons on October 12 that a security incident near RAF Fairford last month was highly likely to have been coordinated in Iran and almost certainly directed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The base in Gloucestershire had hosted U.S. B-1 bombers used in strikes on Iran.

Police were called at about 12:45 a.m. on September 27 after reports of three suspicious white vans near the base. Armed officers arrested five men near Whelford on suspicion of explosives and terrorism offences. Two more men were arrested later, including a British-Iranian dual national. All seven have been released on bail under strict conditions. No one has been charged. Searches found petrol but no explosives in the vans. About 85 households were evacuated while bomb disposal teams examined the vehicles.

The U.S. Air Force withdrew all 12 of its B-1B bombers from Fairford in early October after intelligence indicated a threat. The base is the preferred European forward location for U.S. heavy bombers. Britain summoned Iran's ambassador and imposed sanctions on two Iranians linked to IRGC activities, including an official identified as head of counterespionage operations.

Iran has rejected the claims as unfounded and malicious speculation. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Britain was looking in the wrong place. A joint statement by the United States, the United Kingdom, and more than 20 other countries condemned Iranian actions including lethal plotting, arson, sabotage, and cyber attacks.

Details of the alleged plot remain limited. The men, mostly British nationals in their twenties from London, were released without charge. The episode prompted a major incident declaration and a national security meeting. Burnham said Britain would not tolerate such threats on its soil. The assessment marks the first formal public attribution by the UK government of the Fairford events to the IRGC.

The base had been used for U.S. bomber operations against Iran earlier in the year. The withdrawal of the bombers reduced the immediate U.S. heavy strike presence in Europe. British and American officials have said the investigation remains open. The precise nature of any coordination from Iran has not been publicly detailed beyond the government's assessment.