World · Middle East · 8 hrs ago
UK summons Iran’s ambassador over suspected role in RAF Fairford incident
Britain has summoned Iran’s ambassador after an incident near RAF Fairford, a US air force base in Gloucestershire.
The UK says Iran was involved, and Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the incident was almost certainly directed by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard.
Iran denies involvement.
Seven men in their 20s have been arrested and later released on bail, but no one has been charged.
Britain has also imposed travel bans and asset freezes on two Iranian men, while the UK and 28 other countries have condemned what they describe as Iranian violent activity.
RAF Fairford has hosted US aircraft for decades and recently served as a base for bombers flying to the Middle East.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is expected to update Parliament on the incident.
The UK has summoned Iran’s ambassador over Iran’s suspected role in an incident at RAF Fairford.
Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said Britain would not tolerate threats on its soil.
The UK has sanctioned two Iranians, imposing travel bans and asset freezes.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the incident was almost certainly directed by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard.
Iran has denied involvement, and seven men arrested in connection with the incident have been bailed without charge.
- Who
- The UK government and Iran’s ambassador. Iran is suspected of involvement in the incident.
- What
- The UK summoned the ambassador and sanctioned two Iranians over the suspected role of Iran in the RAF Fairford incident.
- When
- The summons followed an incident last month. The incident began in the early hours of 27 September.
- Where
- RAF Fairford, in Gloucestershire, England.
- Why
- The UK says the action responds to suspected Iranian involvement and threats to its security.
UK government
Iran
Responsibility for the incident
UK government
The UK attributes Iranian involvement and Burnham said it was almost certainly directed by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard.
Iran
Iran has denied involvement.
Security concerns
UK government
The UK says Iran’s activity threatens its security and that it will not tolerate threats on its soil.
Iran
Iran said in July that any base used for aggression against Iranian territory was a legitimate target for its forces.
Iran said any base used for aggression against its territory was a legitimate target for its forces.
Police were alerted to three suspicious vehicles near RAF Fairford.
The incident at RAF Fairford took place.
Burnham told MPs the incident was almost certainly directed by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard.
Miliband summoned Iran’s ambassador and the Foreign Office sanctioned two Iranians.
- Location
- RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire
- Incident date
- Early hours of 27 September
- Arrests
- Seven men in their 20s were arrested and later bailed; no one was charged
- Sanctions
- Two Iranians faced travel bans and asset freezes
- International statement
- The UK and 28 other countries condemned attacks by Iran
- Bombers withdrawn
- About a dozen US B-1 bombers returned to their home stations on American soil
What people are saying
Britain will not tolerate threats on our soil
almost certainly directed by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard
any base used for aggression against Iranian territory constitutes a legitimate target for our forces
Sources
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