UK blames Iran’s Revolutionary Guards for RAF Fairford ‘bomb plot’

The UK government has linked a suspected plot targeting RAF Fairford to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), announcing further sanctions following a counter-terrorism investigation.

The UK government has accused Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of directing a suspected plot targeting RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham told MPs on 12 October that the government assessed the incident on 27 September was “highly likely to have been coordinated in Iran, almost certainly directed by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards”.

The announcement followed a counter-terrorism investigation involving seven arrests and increased security at the US-operated airbase.

“We will not tolerate these threats on our soil,” Burnham said, announcing further sanctions against Iran and measures targeting criminal networks allegedly operating on its behalf.

Seven arrested in RAF Fairford investigation

Five UK nationals were arrested near RAF Fairford on 27 September following reports of suspicious vehicles in the nearby village of Whelford.

Police searched three vans and recovered a quantity of petrol. No explosive devices were found.

A 25-year-old dual UK-Iranian national was subsequently arrested in London on 1 October.

On 6 October, Counter Terrorism Policing announced a further arrest of a 22-year-old UK national in Westminster on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts under Section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006.

All seven suspects were released on police bail. No charges have been announced.

Senior National Coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing Vicki Evans described the investigation as highly complex, with officers continuing to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.

“We’re acutely aware of the public interest in this investigation, and we are working around the clock, and at pace, to identify the motivation behind events in Gloucestershire. We remain committed to investigating all possible angles,” Evans said in the statement. 

UK and allies condemn Iranian activity

In a joint statement issued on 12 October, the UK, US and 27 other countries condemned Iran’s alleged involvement in covert operations, including sabotage, arson, cyberattacks and other hostile activities.

“Anyone who conducts hostile activities on behalf of Iran, or any other state, should know that we will take action to identify, investigate, disrupt, and prosecute these acts,” Foreign ministers said in the statement.

The statement referred to the UK’s assessment of Iranian involvement in the RAF Fairford incident and raised concerns about the IRGC’s use of proxy networks overseas.

The participating governments pledged closer cooperation against state-sponsored threats.

The UK has also imposed sanctions on two Iranian nationals accused of facilitating or participating in hostile activities on behalf of Tehran.

Iran has denied involvement. Its ambassador to the UK, Ali Mousavi, rejected the allegations and called for evidence supporting the government’s assessment.

RAF Fairford’s strategic importance

RAF Fairford is a key European operating location for US strategic bombers, including the B-1B Lancer and B-52 Stratofortress.

The Gloucestershire base has supported US military operations in the Middle East, including strikes against Iranian targets during the current conflict.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards warned in July that military bases used to launch attacks against Iran could be considered legitimate targets.

Fairford’s role in US bomber operations has heightened security concerns around the base.

The US withdrew bombers from the base amid concerns about a possible attack. UK authorities have not publicly confirmed the suspected plot’s intended method or objective.

As ADS Advance previously reported, the base is also included in a reported $4.2 billion US Air Force infrastructure investment programme covering three UK installations. The proposals include improvements to airfield infrastructure, maintenance facilities and operational support.

Military operations in the Middle East have already affected activities at Fairford. In May, organisers cancelled the 2026 Royal International Air Tattoo amid uncertainty over access to the airbase.

The counter-terrorism investigation remains ongoing. The UK government has announced further measures targeting Iranian-backed networks and their funding.