Breaking · RAF Fairford

Britain just blamed Iran for a bomb plot and its allies backed it

1 hour ago · 13 October 2026Share

U.S. Air Force personnel conduct operations at Royal Air Force Base Fairford, England. File photo. — U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Bryson Sherard · Public domain

Andy Burnham just told Parliament something big.

He says it's highly likely Iran coordinated a bomb plot against a British air base. And almost certainly that Iran's Revolutionary Guard was behind it.

Iran denied it within hours.

The base is RAF Fairford, in Gloucestershire. American bombers have flown strikes on Iran from there since the war started in February. Five British men in their twenties were arrested nearby in the early hours of 27 September, suspected of terrorism and explosives offences. Police found petrol in three vans linked to them. No explosives. All five were released on bail, under strict conditions. Two more men were arrested separately and also released.

About a week ago, the US pulled every one of its bombers out of Fairford. Donald Trump said a threat linked to Iran was behind that.

And a few hours ago, dozens of countries backed Britain up. The US, the UK, Australia, Canada, most of Europe. One joint statement, condemning what they called Iran's use of violent attacks, lethal plotting, arson, sabotage, cyber-attacks, and more.

Ed Miliband, the UK's Foreign Secretary, announced sanctions on two Iranian nationals. Ruhollah Bazghandi, named as the head of IRGC counterespionage. And Shahram Ali Reza Tamarzadeh Jakki, described as a facilitator for the Zindashti criminal network. Both get an asset freeze and a UK travel ban.

Iran's ambassador to Britain, Seyed Ali Mousavi, met a UK Foreign Office minister and rejected all of it. He says Tehran had no involvement, and that Britain should present any evidence it has.

Iran's Foreign Ministry went further. It's calling the whole thing a campaign to cover up Britain's own role in the war on Iran.

That's everything we know.

The rest of this story is for members.

Why this matters

So here's the thing. Britain's language has been getting harder for two weeks straight.

On 30 September, Burnham only said Britain believed Iran had a part in it. By 1 October, that became strong indications. Today, it's highly likely and almost certainly. That's the strongest wording a British government uses.

And there's still no public evidence. None. Iran is demanding it out loud.

Here's the twist. People close to the UK government have told reporters Iran probably doesn't even have the capability for a sophisticated drone attack. Some are floating the idea this could have been a feint. Nobody official has confirmed that. Nobody's ruled it out either.

What were the suspects actually planning? Still not public. Police found petrol, not explosives. Nobody has been charged with anything.

But Fairford isn't a random target if this really was Iran. American bombers have hit Iran from that base since the war began. So hitting it, or planning to, means hitting the supply line for the whole war.

And this isn't Britain's only Iran scare right now. About a week ago, two Iranian nationals were charged over a separate plot, to attack the Jewish community in Manchester with a homemade chlorine device. A trial is set at the Old Bailey.

Burnham told MPs the UK will not tolerate these threats on British soil. He says Britain will crack down on Iran's criminal networks and bring more sanctions.

Iran's position is simple. Britain is making accusations it can't back up, timed to distract from its own part in the war. Iran's Foreign Ministry says London and whoever planned this operation will bear responsibility for what comes next.

So what does everyone actually agree on? Five men arrested. Petrol found. No explosives. No charges. Everything past that is now a diplomatic fight, Britain and its allies on one side, Iran on the other.

What happens next is political, not military. For now. The question is whether Britain publishes real evidence, and how Iran responds if it doesn't.

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Released, ? That doesn't sound as though they were naughty boys to me ? Held just long enough to say " Weve got em, and its Irans fault." then let go ?? How do all of the 'Allies" know it was Iran, I'm very suspicious ofIran basher's , the same mob support terrorism from Israel. Its like they have it completely backwards, out of sheer chosen ignorance, A willingness to be a F*CKWIT. ? lie about Iran , blatantly, While supporting known child murdering terrorists, thats a crime anywhere in the world, Its a universaly accepted law. you cant deal with terrorists, they lie steal rape and murder, terrorists cant be trusted, lauriemillerjade.com ,
24 minutes ago

Britain just blamed Iran for a bomb plot and its allies backed it

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