The UK government has confirmed its belief that Iran played a part in the suspected terror plot near RAF Fairford — as counter-terrorism investigators continue to pursue multiple lines of enquiry following arrests of six men in connection with the incident.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham told the BBC: “We will say more in due course but we can confirm that we believe Iran to have played a part.” He said he had chaired an emergency security meeting and had been “talking to our counterparts in the United States all week.” Iran has strongly denied any involvement. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the UK was “barking up the wrong tree”, and the Iranian Embassy in London issued a statement categorically rejecting “unfounded and malicious speculations” linking Tehran to the incident.
The government’s position follows comments from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who said the incident “clearly involves the hands of a foreign actor”. Counter Terrorism Policing has said investigators are examining whether suspects could have been “proxies, or individuals either knowingly or unknowingly, working on behalf of a foreign state”.
The development comes as a sixth man — a 25-year-old dual UK/Iranian national — was arrested in Westminster on 1 October on suspicion of preparation of terrorist acts under Section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006. The five men originally arrested near Whelford in the early hours of 27 September remain on police bail and under investigation. Counter-terrorism officers have confirmed no improvised explosive devices were found during examination of three vehicles at the scene, though a quantity of petrol was recovered.
RAF Fairford, which is used by US forces including for strikes on Iran earlier this year, was placed at the centre of diplomatic tension when Iran previously warned that “any base used for aggression against Iranian territory constitutes a legitimate target.” Burnham said he had “complete confidence in the way British security services are handling this.”
This follows our earlier report: Major incident declared near RAF Fairford as armed police cordon off airbase and arrest several men.
Sources: BBC News, Counter Terrorism Policing, NBC News, Reuters.
