UK says Iran almost certainly directed plot targeting air base

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said on Monday that an alleged plot targeting a British air base last month was “almost certainly” directed by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and announced sanctions against two Iranian men.

Addressing Parliament, Burnham said the UK believed the alleged plot, which led to five people being arrested on suspicion of terrorism offences, was highly likely to have been coordinated in Iran.

“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,” he told MPs.

“We will not tolerate these threats on our soil. We will crack down on Iran’s use of criminal networks, using our full range of powers to target them and their funding streams,” Burnham said, adding that the UK would introduce further sanctions to restrict Iran and the IRGC’s ability to cause harm.

A major security incident took place in late September at RAF Fairford, a Gloucestershire air base used by the US Air Force. It prompted a large-scale counterterrorism investigation.

After the incident, the UK government summoned Iran’s ambassador and said it would not tolerate threats on British soil. The sanctions on the two Iranian men include an asset freeze, a ban on entering the UK and disqualification from managing a business in the country.

Burnham also discussed the escalating situation involving Saudi Arabia and the Houthis. He said he had spoken about the issue with US President Donald Trump last month on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

“In my meeting with President Trump, we discussed the situation in the Middle East. I confirmed Britain’s decision to send air defence and a Voyager aircraft to Saudi Arabia to provide air-to-air refuelling support,” he said.

Burnham said the support had already completed 14 operational missions and was needed to protect civilians. He condemned attacks on King Khalid International Airport and said the UK would continue to support Saudi Arabia against the Houthis.