UK Prime Minister Burnham says Iran's IRGC almost certainly directed RAF Fairford plot
Britain formally attributed the September incident at the US bomber base to Iran's Revolutionary Guards after the withdrawal of B-1 aircraft and arrests of seven men.
London, United Kingdom2 min read
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British Prime Minister Andy Burnham told the House of Commons on Monday that a suspected plot targeting RAF Fairford was highly likely coordinated in Iran and almost certainly directed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The assessment is the first formal public attribution by the UK government. Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said the Iranian ambassador was summoned and that two Iranian nationals were designated for hostile activity. One of them, Ruhollah Bazghandi, identified as an IRGC counterespionage official, faces an immediate asset freeze, travel ban, and director disqualification.
The incident began in the early hours of September 27 when police stopped three white vans near the Gloucestershire base after a local farmer reported suspicious activity. Officers arrested five men on suspicion of terrorism and explosives offenses. Two more men were arrested later. All seven, six British nationals and one dual British-Iranian citizen, all in their twenties, were released on bail under strict conditions. No charges have been filed. Police recovered a quantity of gasoline but no explosives. Concrete barriers were installed at the main gate on October 1.
The base had hosted US B-1B Lancer bombers used in strikes on Iran. American officials told Reuters of a suspected Iranian drone threat. The US Air Force withdrew all 12 B-1s from Fairford over roughly one day earlier this month and redeployed them to home bases. President Donald Trump said the move followed threats he believed were linked to Iran. Burnham had previously described strong indications of Iranian involvement. MI5 chief Ken McCallum later said the Fairford incident was not unique and that Iran is increasingly targeting more heavily protected military sites. More than 50 people have been arrested in Iran-linked operations in the UK over the past year.
Iran rejected the claims. Ambassador Seyed Ali Mousavi told IRNA that Tehran categorically rejects the allegations and called them unfounded. Iranian officials have previously stated that any base used to attack Iranian territory is a legitimate target. Britain imposed the new designations as part of its response. The Foreign Office said the individuals facilitated or engaged in hostile activity with the intent of threatening, planning, or conducting attacks overseas.
The episode raised questions about the security of US forward-deployed assets in Europe during the ongoing conflict with Iran. The withdrawal of the heavy bombers removed the only such force stationed on British soil at the time. Local residents near Fairford experienced roadblocks, evacuations of nearby homes, and bomb disposal activity on the night of the initial stop. The absence of explosives in the vans and the release of all suspects on bail have left the precise nature of the alleged plot incompletely described in public statements.
Burnham's statement to Parliament converts earlier indications into a formal government assessment. The sanctions and ambassador summons constitute the immediate diplomatic response. The investigation by counter-terrorism police continues. Whether additional evidence will support charges or further designations remains open. The incident sits within a broader pattern of reported Iranian operations on British soil, including arson attacks on Jewish sites and other plots, according to security officials.
