Burnham says strong indications Iran behind RAF Fairford incident

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said on 30 September there were strong indications Iran played a part in the incident at RAF Fairford, the UK airbase operated by the US military. The statement came after five British nationals in their 20s were arrested near the base on 27 September on suspicion of explosives and terrorism offences, then released on bail on 28 September.abc.net.au+1

Burnham's remarks to the BBC were the first confirmation by the British government of its assessment of the incident. The base lies 160 kilometres west of London and has been used by US aircraft in military operations against Iran in recent months. Iran has denied involvement, while the police investigation remains ongoing and five men remain under investigation with bail conditions.hindustantimes.com

What Burnham told the BBC

Burnham said there were strong indications Iran played a part in what happened over the weekend at RAF Fairford, but that it remained an ongoing, complex and serious police investigation. He said UK authorities were working closely with colleagues in the United States. He added that British officials had been talking to their US counterparts all week to explain what was happening, and that he had complete confidence in the way British security services were handling the matter.bbc.co.uk

Iran's embassy in London said in a statement shared on social media that the regime categorically rejects and strongly condemns recent unfounded and malicious speculations published by some British individuals and media outlets attempting to link Iran to the incident. Iranian authorities have previously warned that any bases used to attack the country would be considered legitimate targets.

Gloucestershire police received a call just after midnight on 27 September about three suspicious vehicles appearing to travel towards RAF Fairford. Nearly an hour later, a farmer called 999 after seeing three vans parked in a weird formation near the base, with a large group of hooded and masked men nearby. Police later arrested five men in the Whelford area on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act.

How the investigation unfolded

After sunrise on 27 September, police declared a major incident in Whelford and set up a 400-metre cordon around the three vehicles. The Army's Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit examined them, and about 85 households were evacuated to a local leisure centre. By Sunday afternoon, Counter Terrorism Policing had taken over the investigation, with the five men further arrested on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act.

Counter Terrorism Policing said no explosives were found in extensive searches of the three vehicles, only some fuel and a number of large, mostly empty plastic drums. Local media reported, unconfirmed by authorities, that the men could have been fuel thieves. Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, who heads the Metropolitan Police's Counter Terror Policing unit, said the incident may be activity committed by proxies or individuals knowingly or unknowingly working on behalf of a foreign state.

No explosives found in the vehicles

All five men, aged between 23 and 25 and from London, were released on police bail on 28 September after extensive interviews and enquiries, despite UK counterterrorism law allowing police to hold suspects for up to 14 days. Taylor said the men remained under investigation with stringent conditions on their movement and contact with others. US President Donald Trump said he was surprised they were released and would not have done that.

The UK government said in July that the elite Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps almost certainly directed attacks in Europe by the Iran-aligned group Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia, which has claimed responsibility for several incidents including attacks on synagogues in the Netherlands and Belgium. Experts have characterised such incidents as part of a pattern of Iran and Russia outsourcing sabotage by recruiting sometimes unsuspecting people.

Burnham said UK authorities would say more in due course but could confirm their belief that Iran played a part. He said the suspects' release on bail came with the strictest possible bail conditions. The police investigation continues, with the five men remaining under investigation and monitored closely, and further information expected from authorities as the enquiry proceeds.