British Prime Minister Andy Burnham told Parliament on Monday that a suspected plot targeting RAF Fairford air base was “highly likely” coordinated in Iran and “almost certainly” directed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The base in southwest England had been used by U.S. B-1 bombers for strikes on Iran and became the focus of a major security response after five British men were arrested nearby on Sept. 27 on suspected terrorism and explosives offenses.
Burnham said Britain “will not tolerate these threats on our soil” and vowed to crack down on Iran’s use of criminal networks and their funding, including further sanctions. Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband summoned Iran’s ambassador, Seyed Ali Mousavi, who denied any Iranian involvement and demanded evidence, according to the Iranian state news agency IRNA .
The U.S. had withdrawn 12 B-1 bombers from RAF Fairford 10 days ago in response to intelligence indicating a possible Iranian drone attack. U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed the move was prompted by an Iran-linked threat .
A joint statement by the U.S., U.K. and 27 other Western countries condemned Iran for “violent attacks, including acts of lethal plotting, arson, sabotage, cyber-attacks, and other hybrid activities,” and warned that those responsible would be held to account .
