In late September, an incident unfolded near RAF Fairford, a United Kingdom airfield that hosts United States aircraft. British Prime Minister Andy Burnham addressed the event, saying he could confirm with high probability that the attack had been coordinated in Iran and led by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The incident followed a series of attacks in Europe targeting Jewish people, Iranian journalists, and US interests.
Burnham’s assessment was not a solitary claim. He reiterated his conviction that Iran’s hand was behind the attack, using strong language to condemn the violent acts allegedly perpetrated by Iran. He also announced that the United Kingdom would act hard against the use of criminal networks by Iran, pledging to employ the full spectrum of powers to target those networks and their financial flows.
Canada signs joint statement denouncing Iran after U.K. air base plot https://t.co/mHB1lryfXD
Following the attribution, Burnham said upcoming sanctions would focus on Iranian criminal networks and the money that moves through them. This promise was framed as a direct response to the alleged Iranian coordination of the RAF Fairford incident and to a broader series of attacks that had targeted Jewish people, Iranian journalists, and United States interests across Europe.
President Donald Trump linked the Pentagon's withdrawal of all long-range bombers from RAF Fairford to unspecified threats.
The British accusation was quickly echoed by a wide array of governments. A joint statement issued by the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and several European nations—including Germany—declared that any attempt by Iran to threaten, silence, intimidate, harass, harm, or coerce people in their territories through proxies or otherwise is unacceptable. The statement cited lethal plots, sabotage, and cyberattacks as examples of the behavior being condemned.
Canada signs joint statement denouncing Iran after U.K. air base plot https://t.co/zWjXs7Pj7N
A series of attacks in Europe targeting Jewish people, Iranian journalists, and US interests had been claimed by the pro‑Iranian group Harakat Ashab al‑Yamin al‑Islamia (HAYI).
Before the September incident, authorities had already detained seven suspects near the base for suspected terrorist preparation and explosives violations. Those individuals were later released under strict conditions. Five men were detained near RAF Fairford, two additional suspects were arrested, and seven British men aged 23 to 25 were held on terrorism suspicions. These numbers are as reported.
In a move that coincided with the rising tensions, the Pentagon unexpectedly withdrew all long‑range bombers from RAF Fairford earlier that month. President Donald Trump linked the Pentagon's withdrawal of all long-range bombers from RAF Fairford to unspecified threats.
Iran’s ambassador to the United Kingdom denied participation and offered cooperation in the investigation.
The seven British men detained on terrorism suspicions were between 23 and 25 years old.
On September 27, 2023, an incident at Fairford air base was attributed to Iran. On September 25, 2024, five men were detained near RAF Fairford for suspected terrorism. On September 30, 2026, an incident occurred at a US military base in England, and on the same day a joint communique from thirty countries condemning Iran was issued. Finally, on October 12, 2026, the Pentagon withdrew all long‑range bombers from RAF Fairford.
The United Kingdom has pledged sanctions against Iranian financial networks, a coalition of thirty nations has issued a joint condemnation of Iran’s alleged violent actions, and the United States has adjusted its bomber presence at the base. Iran continues to deny involvement while offering to cooperate with investigators. The situation remains framed by the accusations, the promised responses, and the ongoing diplomatic exchanges.