Britain on Monday blamed Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) for a suspected terror plot targeting RAF Fairford, the British airbase used by American bombers to strike Iran, following a security threat that prompted the United States to withdraw all 12 B-1 bombers stationed there.
Reported by:
Cherry Meigh Timbol
News Content Editor
Published October 13, 2026
Britain has accused Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of directing a suspected plot targeting RAF Fairford, a military air base in southwest England used by the United States Air Force. The security incident prompted the United States to relocate bombers from the facility, while British authorities announced sanctions against two Iranian nationals. Iran has denied involvement.
Britain Says Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Directed Suspected Plot
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham told Parliament on October 12 that the government believed the suspected plot was highly likely to have been coordinated in Iran and almost certainly directed by the IRGC.
The investigation centers on a security incident near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, southwest England, on September 27. The facility has been used by American bombers involved in military operations against Iran.
British authorities said the incident raised concerns about a possible attack on the base. U.S. officials subsequently linked the withdrawal of American bomber aircraft to fears of a potential Iranian drone attack.
Burnham said the British government would use its available powers to target networks and funding streams suspected of supporting hostile activities on British soil.
Seven Men Arrested in Investigation
British police arrested five men near RAF Fairford in the early hours of September 27 on suspicion of terrorism-related and explosives offenses. Authorities later made additional arrests, bringing the total number of suspects reported in the investigation to seven.
Police discovered gasoline in three vans associated with the initial group but reported finding no viable explosives.
All seven suspects were subsequently released on police bail, subject to conditions, and no charges had been announced in the reports published on October 12.
The suspects have not been publicly identified by authorities. Investigators are continuing to examine whether the incident involved direction or assistance from a foreign state.
U.S. Withdraws Bombers From RAF Fairford
The United States moved B-1 bomber aircraft away from RAF Fairford following concerns about a possible Iranian-linked drone attack, according to U.S. officials cited by Reuters.
President Donald Trump confirmed the bomber withdrawal earlier in October, citing security threats. The move followed the arrests near the base and assessments that the facility could be targeted.
RAF Fairford serves as an important European operating location for U.S. strategic bombers. The aircraft have been used in operations against Iranian military capabilities during the ongoing conflict between Washington and Tehran.
The U.S. military has not publicly disclosed all details of the intelligence behind the redeployment. U.S. European Command declined to discuss specific force-protection measures.
Britain Summons Iranian Ambassador and Imposes Sanctions
British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said the government had summoned Iran’s ambassador to address the allegations.
Britain also announced sanctions against two Iranian nationals, Ruhollah Bazghandi and Shahram Ali Reza Tamarzadeh Jakki.
According to the British government, Bazghandi is associated with the IRGC’s counterintelligence operations, while Jakki is alleged to have facilitated activities connected to a criminal network accused of involvement in plots against Iranian dissidents.
The sanctions form part of Britain’s broader measures against individuals it accuses of facilitating hostile activities on behalf of the Iranian government.
Iran Rejects British Allegations
Iran has denied any involvement in the suspected plot targeting RAF Fairford.
Iranian Ambassador to Britain Seyed Ali Mousavi rejected the allegations and called on British authorities to provide evidence supporting their claims. Iranian officials also indicated that Tehran was willing to cooperate with the investigation.
British authorities have said their assessment points to possible foreign-state involvement, but the investigation remains ongoing. No suspect had been charged in connection with the Fairford incident as of October 12, according to reports from Reuters and the Associated Press.
International Statement Condemns Alleged Iranian Activities
On October 12, Britain, the United States and other countries issued a joint statement condemning what they described as Iranian-backed acts of violence, including alleged assassination plots, arson, sabotage and cyberattacks.
The statement included nearly 30 countries and accused Iran of using covert networks and proxy actors to conduct hostile activities abroad.
Tehran has repeatedly rejected accusations that it directs such operations in Britain and other Western countries.
