RismadarVoice Reporters
October 12, 2026
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has accused Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of directing a suspected plot against RAF Fairford, a British military airbase used by United States forces.
Addressing lawmakers, Burnham said British authorities assessed that the alleged operation was highly likely to have been coordinated from Iran, with the IRGC suspected of directing the activities.
He warned that Britain would not tolerate threats against its territory or military installations.
The allegations followed a security operation near RAF Fairford on September 27, when police evacuated nearby residents and deployed specialist officers and military bomb-disposal personnel.
Seven men were subsequently arrested in connection with the investigation. All were released on bail, and no criminal charges had been announced in the account provided.
Police said investigators recovered petrol from three vans linked to five of the initial suspects but found no explosives.
Six of the suspects were identified as British nationals, while the seventh reportedly held dual British-Iranian citizenship. All seven were said to be in their twenties.
Iran has denied involvement in the suspected plot, rejecting allegations linking Tehran to the incident.
RAF Fairford, located approximately 100 miles west of London, has been used by American military aircraft during the conflict involving the United States and Iran.
The British government previously authorised US forces to use the base for operations it described as defensive strikes against Iranian missile facilities following attacks affecting British interests and regional allies.
According to the account, American bombers stationed at the facility had returned to the United States before the latest developments.
The British government also summoned Iran’s ambassador over allegations of Iranian-linked activities threatening national security.
London further announced sanctions against two Iranian individuals, including an official associated with counterespionage operations within the IRGC.
Separately, foreign ministers from more than two dozen Western countries issued a joint statement condemning alleged Iranian-linked hostile activities and pledging cooperation against threats carried out through proxy networks.
The allegations remain disputed, with Iran denying responsibility and British authorities maintaining their assessment of suspected IRGC involvement.
The investigation has not resulted in publicly announced charges against the seven suspects, and the allegations against them have not been established in court.
