The British government has accused Iran of coordinating a security incident at a UK-US airbase in southern England, summoning Tehran's ambassador and announcing sanctions against two individuals linked to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
Five British nationals were arrested on September 27 in the vicinity of RAF Fairford, in Gloucestershire, on suspicion of terrorism and explosives offences. They were later released on bail under strict conditions. A sixth arrest followed days later.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham told the House of Commons on Monday that the incidents at RAF Fairford and RAF Molesworth were highly likely to have been coordinated by Iran.
"I can confirm our assessment that it is highly likely to have been coordinated in Iran, almost certainly directed by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard (IRGC)," Burnham said. "We will not tolerate these threats on our soil."
Burnham also warned that further sanctions against Iran could follow. "We will crack down on Iran's use of criminal networks, using our full range of powers to target them and their funding streams, and we will bring further sanctions to restrict the capacity of Iran and the IRGC to do us harm," he said.
Preliminary reports indicate that investigators did not find viable explosives in the vans searched during the operation, though accelerants including petroleum were discovered.
Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said his department had summoned Iran's ambassador to reiterate that Britain "will not tolerate attacks on our soil." He announced an immediate asset freeze, travel ban and director disqualification against two named individuals.
The two individuals sanctioned are Ruhollah Bazghandi, identified as head of counterespionage operations within the IRGC, and Shahram Ali Reza Tamarzadeh Jakki, described as an alleged facilitator for the Zindashti criminal network.
Miliband said the pair were being sanctioned for "their role in facilitating or engaging in hostile activity on behalf of the Iranian regime, with the clear intent of threatening, planning or conducting attacks overseas."
Iran's state news agency reported that Ambassador Ali Moussavi "categorically rejected the accusations" and called on the British government "to present evidence supporting its allegations if it possesses any."
Shortly after the parliamentary statements, 29 countries issued a joint statement condemning "in the strongest terms Iran's use of violent attacks." The statement cited "acts of lethal plotting, arson, sabotage, cyber-attacks, and other hybrid activities" against the signatory nations and their partners.
Signatories included all members of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance as well as most European NATO members, among them the United States, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Spain and Ireland.
RAF Fairford, located approximately two hours west of London in a rural area north of Swindon, serves as one of the US Air Force's key European bases. It is capable of hosting heavy bombers including B-1 and B-52 aircraft, which have the range to reach Iran. Following the September 27 incident, the B-1 bombers stationed at the base were ordered to return to the United States, while the B-52 contingent remained.
Police had previously indicated they were considering the possibility of foreign state involvement, given the strategic significance of the base to US military operations in Europe.
