The UK government has assessed that the security incident near RAF Fairford on 27 September was highly likely to have been coordinated in Iran and almost certainly directed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Prime Minister Andy Burnham told MPs on Monday. He said the government would impose further sanctions on Tehran and the IRGC, with Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood expected to provide more details.
The investigation began after police received a report shortly after midnight about three suspicious vehicles travelling toward the Gloucestershire air base. Police found petrol in the vans but no improvised explosive devices, and released the five men on bail.
Iran has denied involvement and rejected claims linking it to the incident.
The security concerns were followed by the US withdrawal of all 12 B-1 bombers stationed at Fairford. The United States said the aircraft had returned to their home bases, while British authorities said the base remained safe.
The UK also summoned Iran’s ambassador and announced sanctions against two Iranians, including the head of counterespionage operations in the Revolutionary Guard. A joint statement by the UK, United States and European and other partner governments said the Fairford incident demonstrated the IRGC’s willingness to conduct hostile activity beyond Iran’s borders through covert networks and proxy actors. The criminal investigation remains open, with the suspects still under bail conditions and no public account yet of what action was allegedly being prepared at the base.