UK says Iran’s Revolutionary Guard almost certainly directed Fairford plot

Britain has formally blamed Iran for a suspected plot against RAF Fairford, the Gloucestershire air base from which US bombers have flown strikes on Iran. In a statement to the House of Commons on Monday, Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the attack was “highly likely to have been coordinated in Iran” and “almost certainly directed by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard”.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood told MPs that a known individual based in Iran was highly likely to have coordinated it. Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband ordered Iran’s ambassador to be summoned, and the meeting was held by Middle East minister Stephen Doughty. Ambassador Ali Mousavi “categorically rejected” any Iranian role, Al Jazeera reported.

We will not tolerate these threats on our soil.

Andy Burnham, Prime Minister

The UK also sanctioned two people: Ruhollah Bazghandi, described by the government as head of IRGC counterespionage operations, and Shahram Ali Reza Tamarzadeh Jakki, described as a facilitator for the Zindashti criminal network. The measures are an asset freeze, a travel ban and director disqualification.

Twenty-nine countries, including the United States, France, Germany, Canada and Australia, signed a joint statement published by the UK government condemning Iran’s violent attacks abroad. Mahmood also announced a security review led by Sir Stephen Lovegrove.

Five British men arrested near the base early on 27 September have been released on police bail without charge. Police found petrol but no viable explosive, according to Reuters and Al Jazeera.

Britain said last year it had recorded 20 credible Iranian-backed threats to kill or kidnap people in the UK, and in July it banned support for the IRGC, Reuters reported.