World · Middle East · 1 hr ago
Burnham says Iran’s Revolutionary Guard likely directed Fairford plot
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham says a suspected plot targeting RAF Fairford was likely coordinated in Iran and almost certainly directed by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, or IRGC.
The air base in southwest England has been used by U.S. bombers to strike Iran.
Five British men were arrested near the base on September 27 on suspicion of terrorism and explosives offences, and two other men were also arrested.
All were later released without charge, and police said they found no viable explosives in vans linked to the five men.
U.S. officials have described a suspected plan to launch a drone attack, and President Donald Trump said a threat linked to Iran led to the bombers’ withdrawal from the base.
Iran denies involvement and calls the accusations unfounded.
Burnham says Britain will pursue further sanctions against Iran and the IRGC, with more information expected in an update from the home secretary.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the suspected plot targeting RAF Fairford was highly likely to have been coordinated in Iran and almost certainly directed by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Police arrested five men near the base on September 27 and later arrested two more; all seven were released on bail, and no one has been charged.
Police said they found petrol but no viable explosives in vans linked to the initial five suspects.
The United States withdrew B-1 bombers from Fairford the following week amid concerns about a possible drone attack.
Iran rejected suggestions that it was involved, calling them unfounded and malicious speculation.
Burnham said the UK would impose further sanctions on Iran and the IRGC.
- Who
- British Prime Minister Andy Burnham attributed the suspected plot to Iran and its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Iran denied involvement.
- What
- A suspected plot targeting RAF Fairford, including a possible drone attack, is under investigation.
- When
- The initial arrests took place on September 27, and Burnham made his statement on October 12, 2026.
- Where
- RAF Fairford, near Whelford in Gloucestershire, England.
- Why
- Burnham said the UK would impose further sanctions to restrict Iran’s and the IRGC’s capacity to harm the UK. The sources do not state the alleged plot’s motive.
British government
Iran
Attribution
British government
Burnham said the plot was highly likely to have been coordinated in Iran and almost certainly directed by the IRGC.
Iran
Iran rejected any suggestion it was involved, calling it unfounded and malicious speculation.
Response
British government
Burnham said the UK would crack down on Iran’s use of criminal networks and bring further sanctions against Iran and the IRGC.
Iran
Iran’s response beyond denying involvement is not stated.
I can confirm our assessment that it is highly likely to have been coordinated in Iran, almost certainly directed by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards.
We will not tolerate these threats on our soil.
unfounded and malicious speculations
Five men were arrested near RAF Fairford after arriving in three vans.
The United States withdrew 12 B-1 bombers from Fairford amid reported concerns about a possible drone attack.
Burnham told Parliament the suspected plot was almost certainly directed by Iran’s IRGC and said the UK would bring further sanctions.
- Initial arrests
- Five men arrested near RAF Fairford on September 27
- Further arrests
- Two other men were also arrested and released
- Suspects charged
- None
- Items found in vans
- Petrol; no viable explosives
- US aircraft withdrawn
- 12 B-1 bombers, the following week
- Planned UK response
- Further sanctions against Iran and the IRGC
Sources
UK’s Burnham says Iran’s IRGC likely behind airbase incident
Iran’s IRGC likely behind incident at U.S.-run air base, British PM Burnham says
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards ‘almost certainly’ behind RAF Fairford threats, says Burnham
U.K. PM Burnham says Iran’s IRGC likely behind RAF Fairford incident
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps likely behind Fairford airbase incident, says British PM Burnham
UK says air base security incident almost certainly directed by Iran
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