Iran Denies Role In RAF Fairford Incident As UK, US And 27 Allies Condemn Tehran

Iran has denied involvement in a suspected plot targeting Britain’s RAF Fairford airbase, demanding evidence from London after Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the country’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) had “almost certainly directed” the incident on September 27.

Iranian Ambassador to the UK Seyed Ali Mousavi rejected the allegations on Monday, according to state news agency IRNA, and urged Britain to provide evidence supporting its claims. Tehran has also indicated its willingness to cooperate with the investigation.

The denial came as the UK, the US and 27 other countries issued a joint statement condemning what they described as Iran’s use of violent attacks, including lethal plotting, arson, sabotage, cyberattacks and other hybrid activities against them and their partners. The countries said the RAF Fairford incident demonstrated the IRGC’s willingness to operate abroad through covert networks and proxy actors.

The statement also referred to a recent campaign of attacks across Europe targeting Jewish communities, Iranian journalists and US interests, claimed by Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya (HAYI). The countries warned that anyone conducting hostile activities on behalf of Iran or another state would face investigation, disruption and prosecution.

In a further escalation, Britain summoned Iran’s ambassador and announced sanctions against two Iranian nationals accused of involvement in hostile activities. They were Ruhollah Bazghandi, identified by Britain as the IRGC’s head of counterespionage operations, and Shahram Ali Reza Tamarzadeh Jakki, described as a facilitator for the Zindashti criminal network.

The incident occurred in the early hours of September 27, when five British men were arrested near the airbase in southwest England after a local farmer reported suspicious activity involving three vans and masked men. Police found petrol but no viable explosive devices. Two additional men were subsequently arrested in connection with the investigation, bringing the total to seven. All have been released on police bail without charge.

British Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood told Parliament that an unnamed individual based in Iran was believed to have played a key role in the incident.

The suspected plot also prompted the United States to withdraw all 12 B-1 bombers from RAF Fairford, which American forces had used for operations against Iran. US officials cited concerns about a possible drone attack, although details of the alleged plot remain unclear.

Burnham said Britain would crack down on Iran’s use of criminal networks and impose further sanctions if necessary, insisting the government would not tolerate threats on British soil.