UK Links Suspected Fairford Air Base Plot to Iran, Announces New Sanctions

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said on Monday that there was a “high probability” that a suspected plot targeting RAF Fairford had been coordinated in Iran, adding that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) was likely responsible for directing it.

Addressing Parliament, Burnham stressed that the British government would not tolerate threats against UK territory. He pledged to take firm action against Iran’s alleged use of criminal networks, target those networks and their funding sources, and impose further sanctions to limit Tehran’s and the IRGC’s ability to threaten British security.

British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband also condemned what he described as Iran’s continued attempts to undermine the security of the United Kingdom and its international partners through criminal networks and proxy groups, calling such activities unacceptable.

Miliband said London had repeatedly made clear to Tehran that it would not tolerate threats against British territory. He confirmed that he had ordered the Iranian ambassador to the UK to be summoned on Monday to reinforce that message.

The foreign secretary also announced sanctions against two Iranian nationals over their alleged roles in facilitating or participating in hostile activities on behalf of the Iranian regime. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to confronting what it considers unacceptable Iranian conduct and safeguarding national security.

Miliband added that the UK had placed the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on its sanctions list under newly introduced powers designed to counter threats posed by foreign states.