British Prime Minister Andy Burnham told the BBC on Wednesday that intelligence points to Iran's participation in a security breach that occurred over the weekend at RAF Fairford, a Royal Air Force station in southwest England that hosts United States aircraft supporting operations against Tehran.
The incident involved a suspected bomb threat near the airfield, prompting a large‑scale police and military response. Counter‑terrorism officers later announced that five men had been detained on suspicion of terrorist offences, but all were released on bail pending further investigation.
According to the prime minister, the "strong indications" of Iranian involvement stem from information gathered by security services, though no specific details were disclosed publicly. The statement follows a period of heightened tension between London and Tehran, with the United Kingdom accusing Iran of hostile actions in other arenas.
Iran's foreign ministry rejected the allegation, stating that the country had no role in the events at RAF Fairford and urging the United Kingdom to refrain from baseless accusations. The Iranian side emphasized that any suggestion of involvement was unfounded and detrimental to diplomatic relations.
Police officials confirmed that, after thorough examination of the site, no improvised explosive device was found. They added that the investigation remains ongoing and that authorities are continuing to assess any potential external influence.
The episode adds to a series of recent security alerts across Europe linked to alleged Iranian operations, prompting allied nations to review protective measures at critical infrastructure. While the UK government has not announced any further actions, the incident underscores the sensitivity surrounding the use of British bases by US forces in the broader context of Middle Eastern geopolitics.
Reporting attribution: based on reporting by Middle East Eye — original source: https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/uk-pm-says-strong-indications-iran-involved-airbase-scare.