Britain attributes Fairford plot to Iran and sanctions two nationals
Britain has attributed the suspected plot near Fairford air base to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards and sanctioned two Iranian nationals. Allies recognised London’s assessment in a joint statement. Seven people arrested in the police investigation remain on bail without charges, so the government’s attribution does not establish criminal responsibility. Iran’s ambassador was also summoned.
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Britain names the Revolutionary Guards
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham attributed the suspected plot near Fairford, a British military air base in Gloucestershire also used by American forces, to Iran on 12 October. He told the House of Commons that Iranian coordination was highly likely and direction by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Iran’s powerful military organisation, almost certain. The attribution is the government’s intelligence assessment; Iranian responsibility has not been independently established.[1], [2]
Seven suspects remain on bail
Police first arrested five British men from London near the base on 27 September. The men were in their twenties. The investigation’s arrest total has since risen to seven; all remain on strict bail conditions and none has been charged. Police stopped three white vans, reported seizing petrol and said they found no explosives.[1]
Sanctions and a diplomatic summons
Britain sanctioned two Iranian nationals and summoned Iran’s ambassador to the Foreign Office. One designated person heads the Revolutionary Guards’ counter-intelligence operation; the other is described as a facilitator linked to plots against Iranian dissidents. The United States, Britain, Australia and European countries also issued a joint statement recognising London’s attribution. They condemned covert operations and the use of proxies, including threats against Jewish communities, Iranian journalists and American interests in Europe.[1]
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