Two Men Charged Over Suspected Iran-Linked Plot At US-Run RAF Fairford Base In UK

Two men have been charged with national security offences over a suspected plot targeting RAF Fairford, a US-run military airbase in England, with British authorities investigating a possible link to Iran's intelligence service.

Mohmed Ahmad Abdulkarim, 24, and Nouman Essghir, 24, both British nationals from London, were charged under the National Security Act 2023, the Crown Prosecution Service said on Tuesday. Abdulkarim is accused of assisting a foreign intelligence service, identified by investigators as Iran, while Essghir faces a charge of entering a prohibited place for a purpose prejudicial to the UK. Both were due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on October 27.

The investigation stems from an incident on September 27, when police responded to reports of three suspicious vehicles near the base in Gloucestershire. Five men were initially arrested, and around 85 households were evacuated as armed officers and army bomb-disposal experts examined the scene.

Authorities subsequently found petrol in the vehicles but no explosives, according to reports. The vehicles were subjected to extensive forensic examinations.

Essghir was initially arrested at the scene and later re-arrested on October 20. Abdulkarim was also arrested as the investigation progressed. Six other men remain on police bail, while investigators continue examining the circumstances and possible motivation behind the incident.

RAF Fairford has been used by American bombers to launch strikes against Iran during this year's war. The incident prompted the United States to withdraw its bombers from the base, according to reports.

British authorities have said Iranian state involvement is highly likely. Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the apparent plot was “almost certainly” directed by Iran's Revolutionary Guard. Iran has denied involvement, although it has previously said bases used to attack its territory could be considered legitimate targets.

The case comes amid wider concerns over alleged Iranian intelligence activities in Britain. MI5 chief Ken McCallum recently warned that Iran and Russia were expanding their activities against the UK, saying more than 50 people had been arrested over Iran-linked plots in the past year.