The British government accused Iran of involvement in a security alert outside a UK/US airbase in southern England last month, summoned the Iranian ambassador and announced sanctions against two individuals.
Five British nationals were arrested near RAF Fairford on September 27 on suspicion of terrorism and explosives offences. They were subsequently released on bail under strict conditions, and a further arrest followed days later.
Police said they were assessing the possibility of foreign‑state involvement, given RAF Fairford’s importance to the US Air Force as a hub for heavy bombers such as the B‑1 and B‑52, which have the range to reach Iran.
What did Prime Minister Andy Burnham tell parliament?
Prime Minister Andy Burnham told lawmakers in the House of Commons on Monday that the United Kingdom may impose additional sanctions on Iran in response to the incident.
He said intelligence indicated that Iran coordinated the alleged plot.
“I can confirm our assessment that it is highly likely to have been coordinated in Iran, almost certainly directed by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard (IRGC). We will not tolerate these threats on our soil.”
The competence and threat level displayed by the group of young British nationals from London remains unclear but appears limited.
Preliminary investigations found no viable explosives in the vans, though accelerants such as petroleum were detected.
Burnham pledged to crack down on Iran’s use of criminal networks, targeting their funding streams and imposing further sanctions to limit Iran and the IRGC’s capacity to harm the UK.
Foreign Secretary Miliband says Iranian ambassador summoned
Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said his department summoned Iran’s ambassador to reiterate that Britain will not tolerate attacks on its soil.
Iran’s state news agency IRNA quoted Ambassador Ali Moussavi as categorically rejecting the accusations and urging the British government to provide evidence if it has any.
Miliband announced that two individuals would be subject to an immediate asset freeze, travel ban and director disqualification.
He identified Ruhollah Bazghandi, head of counter‑espionage operations in the IRGC, and Shahram Ali Reza Tamarzadeh Jakki, alleged facilitator of the Zindashti criminal network, as the sanctioned persons.
They were sanctioned for facilitating hostile activity on behalf of the Iranian regime with the intent to threaten, plan or conduct overseas attacks.
Joint statement from 29 countries condemns ‘Iran’s use of violent attacks’
Twenty‑nine countries issued a joint statement condemning Iran’s use of violent attacks in the strongest terms.
The statement described the actions as lethal plotting, arson, sabotage, cyber‑attacks and other hybrid activities against the signatories and their partners.
Signatories include all five “Five Eyes” members and most European NATO states, such as the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Spain and Ireland.
Following the September 27 incident at Fairford, the advanced US B‑1 bombers departed the base, while the larger fleet of B‑52s remained stationed there.
RAF Fairford is one of several southern English airfields with a substantial US presence, located roughly two hours west of London, north of Swindon, in a rural area.
The base, like many others, dates back to World War II when Allied forces operated from Britain in preparation for D‑Day landings.