UK Accuses Iran’s IRGC of Directing Suspected RAF Fairford Drone Plot

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said on Monday that a suspected plot targeting RAF Fairford, a military air base in southwest England used by US bombers for strikes against Iran, was highly likely to have been coordinated in Iran and almost certainly directed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Speaking in parliament, Burnham said British authorities had assessed that the suspected operation involved Iranian coordination, pointing to the IRGC’s alleged role in directing hostile activities beyond Iran’s borders.

“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 told lawmakers.

Iran has rejected allegations of involvement in the Fairford incident, describing them as “unfounded and malicious speculations.”

RAF Fairford became the centre of a major security operation after five British men were arrested near the base in the early hours of September 27 on suspicion of terrorism and explosives-related offences.

According to Reuters, US officials said the suspected plot involved a possible drone attack linked to Iran.

US President Donald Trump also said last week that a threat associated with Iran had prompted Washington’s decision to withdraw its bombers from the British air base.

Despite the allegations, details of the suspected plot remain limited.

The five men initially detained were subsequently released without charge on police bail under stringent conditions. Two other men arrested in connection with the investigation, including a British-Iranian national, were also released.

Investigators said petrol had been discovered in vans seized during the operation, but no viable explosives were found.

However, British police and the prime minister have pointed towards the possible involvement of a foreign state.

Burnham warned that Britain would take further measures against suspected Iranian-backed networks operating on British territory.

“We will not tolerate these threats on our soil,” he said.

The prime minister pledged to intensify action against Iran’s alleged use of criminal networks, including measures targeting their financial resources and additional sanctions intended to restrict the IRGC’s operational capabilities.

The allegations come amid wider international concerns over suspected Iranian-linked operations abroad.

Foreign ministries from nearly 30 countries, including the United States, Canada, France and Germany, issued a joint statement condemning what they described as Iran’s use of violent attacks, assassination plots, arson, sabotage, cyberattacks and other hybrid activities against their countries and partners.

“The UK has also concluded this event demonstrates the IRGC’s continued willingness to project hostile activity beyond its borders through covert networks and proxy actors,” the statement said.

British authorities have accused Iran for several years of using criminal networks and proxy groups to carry out plots and attempted assassinations in the United Kingdom.

Tehran has repeatedly denied these allegations.

Last year, British officials said they had identified 20 credible Iranian-backed threats involving plans to kill or kidnap individuals living in the UK.

In July, Britain introduced restrictions under new powers against support for the IRGC and Harakat Ashab Al-Yamin Al-Islamiya (HAYI), a linked group that had claimed responsibility for seven attacks earlier this year targeting locations associated with Jewish and Israeli communities and Persian-language media organisations.

British Foreign Minister Ed Miliband also summoned the Iranian ambassador as the government announced sanctions against two Iranian nationals.

Those sanctioned were Ruhollah Bazghandi, identified by Britain as the IRGC’s head of counterespionage operations, and Shahram Ali Reza Tamarzadeh Jakki, described as a facilitator for the already sanctioned Zindashti criminal network.

British authorities have accused the Zindashti network of involvement in several plots targeting Iranian dissidents.

The latest allegations surrounding RAF Fairford have added to tensions between London and Tehran, with Britain warning of further action against suspected Iranian-backed activities while Iran continues to reject accusations of involvement.