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2026 FIFA World Cup
17JUN

Burnham blames IRGC for suspected plot

2 min read
10:21UTC

Britain's prime minister said the RAF Fairford plot was almost certainly directed by the IRGC, sanctioned its counter-espionage chief and summoned Iran's envoy; nobody has been charged.

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Key takeaway

London blamed the IRGC for the suspected Fairford plot and sanctioned an IRGC chief, with no charges yet.

On 12 October Prime Minister Andy Burnham told Parliament the plot against RAF Fairford was "almost certainly directed by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard"⁠1. Fairford, in Gloucestershire, had hosted US bombers flying strikes on Iran since the war's opening days. Britain sanctioned Ruhollah Bazghandi, who it says heads IRGC counter-espionage, and a facilitator for the already-sanctioned Zindashti network. Iran sanctions amendments Britain published in September took effect on 29 September.

Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband summoned Iran's ambassador, Seyed Ali Mousavi, who said "Tehran has had no involvement" and asked for evidence⁠2. Almost 30 governments, among them France, Germany and the United States, condemned Iran's "use of violent attacks". Nobody has been charged, and at least seven of the men arrested have been released. London's attribution rests on intelligence it has not published.

The bombers had already gone. US B-52 and B-1 aircraft left Fairford on 5 October, a Pentagon official told the Associated Press⁠3. Police had arrested British men near the base days earlier and released them on bail. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the move had no direct link to the suspected plot.

Deep Analysis

In plain English

RAF Fairford is an air base in Gloucestershire, England, used by US heavy bombers. Police arrested several men near it in late September on suspicion of preparing attacks. The UK government now says Iran's Revolutionary Guard was almost certainly behind the plot. It has sanctioned two people and called in Iran's ambassador to complain. No one has been charged in court, so the evidence has not been tested publicly.

Deep Analysis
Root Causes

Britain ties the case to an existing network: besides Ruhollah Bazghandi, it sanctioned a facilitator for the already-sanctioned Zindashti network. Police found petrol but no viable explosive in the 27 September arrests. Nobody has been charged, and at least seven of the men arrested have been released.

RAF Fairford hosted the US bombers used against Iran since the war's first days. A base on British soil supporting strikes makes Britain a target in Tehran's eyes, whatever London says about its own role.

What could happen next?
  • Risk

    Tehran may answer with consular pressure on British or dual nationals held in Iran.

  • Consequence

    A charge or trial would put the attribution on the record; failure to charge would weaken London's case abroad.

Sources:The Times of Israel·The Times of Israel·France 24
Mentions:Andy Burnham →United Kingdom →Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) →RAF Fairford →Zindashti network →Ed Miliband →Marco Rubio →United States →Iran →France →Germany →Gloucestershire →England →Tehran →Pentagon →Al Jazeera →Parliament →Associated Press →Paris →London →European Union →B-52 Stratofortress →
First Reported In

Update #181 · Houthi missiles kill 13 at Riyadh's airport

The Times of Israel· 17 Oct 2026
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Causes and effects
This Event
Burnham blames IRGC for suspected plot
Britain has formally blamed the IRGC for a suspected plot on its soil without charging anyone or publishing its evidence.
Led to
RAF tankers to fuel Saudi raids in Yemen
Police re-arrested two Fairford suspects after Burnham blamed the IRGC on 12 October.
Occurred 20 Oct 2026
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Written with AI from Lowdown's published reporting. Not individually reviewed by an editor. Editorial standards.