UK blames Iran for suspected terror plot targeting RAF Fairford
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has blamed Iran's Revolutionary Guards for a late-September terror plot targeting RAF Fairford, prompting diplomatic summons and planned sanctions.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham told Parliament on Monday that a late-September terror plot targeting the RAF Fairford airbase in England was "almost certainly" directed by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and coordinated from Tehran. The military installation, which is used by United States forces, was the focus of several arrests late last month, though no formal charges have yet been brought.
Burnham announced that the UK will impose further sanctions against Iranian entities in response. Following the Prime Minister's address, the British Foreign Office summoned Iran's ambassador, while the UK, the US, and 27 allied nations released a joint statement condemning Iranian state-backed threats and proxy operations on foreign soil.
Tehran has rejected the allegations and denied any involvement in the airbase incident.
Sources: France24, Politico Europe (Defense), Sweden Herald, The Guardian, UK Defence Journal.
Sources
- The Guardian — Iran’s Revolutionary Guards ‘almost certainly’ behind RAF Fairford threats, says Burnham
- Sweden Herald — US, UK and 27 allies warn Iran after arrests linked to RAF Fairford incident
- Politico Europe (Defense) — Burnham: Iran’s IRGC ‘highly likely’ to be behind RAF Fairford terror plot
- UK Defence Journal — RAF Fairford incident almost certainly directed by Iran
- France24 — Tehran denies involvement in UK Fairford air base incident as Britain summons Iranian ambassador