UK Links Iran's Revolutionary Guard to Plot Targeting Air Base

British Prime Minister stated on Monday that it is "highly probable" that a suspected plot targeting Fairford Air Base was coordinated in Iran and "almost certainly" directed by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Fairford Air Base, used by U.S. bombers for strikes against Iran, became the focus of a major security operation after five British men were arrested nearby on September 27th on suspicion of terrorism and explosives offenses. U.S. officials told Reuters of a suspected Iran-linked drone attack plot, and President Donald Trump had previously cited an Iran-related threat for aircraft withdrawals. "I can confirm our assessment that it is highly probable this was coordinated in Iran and almost certainly directed by the IRGC," the British Prime Minister told Parliament. Iran has denied any involvement, with its ambassador to Britain, Seyed Ali Mousavi, quoted by IRNA as saying Tehran has no role and demanding evidence from the UK. Details of the plot remain unclear. The five men were later released on strict bail conditions without charge. Two other men, including a dual British-Iranian national, were also arrested and released. Investigators found gasoline in the vans accompanying the five men, but no viable explosives. However, police and the British Prime Minister indicated foreign state involvement. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood told Parliament that a known individual residing in Iran was believed to be behind the incident. The British Prime Minister vowed "zero tolerance for these threats on our soil" and pledged to "firmly tackle Iran's use of criminal networks, use our full powers to target these networks and their funding, and impose further sanctions." Foreign ministries from approximately 30 countries, including the U.S., Canada, France, and Germany, issued a joint statement condemning Iran's "use of violent attacks, including plotting murder, arson, sabotage, cyber attacks, and other comprehensive activities." The statement also noted Britain's conclusion that the incident demonstrates the IRGC's "continued willingness to conduct hostile activities beyond its borders through clandestine networks and proxies." Britain has accused Iran of numerous assassination plots in the UK for years, using criminal networks and proxies, which Tehran has repeatedly denied. Last year, London announced 20 credible Iran-backed threats to kill or abduct UK residents. In July, Britain banned support for the IRGC and an affiliated group, the Islamic Right Movement, which claimed responsibility for attacks on Jewish, Israeli, and Persian-language media targets. Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband summoned the Iranian ambassador, and two Iranian nationals were sanctioned: Ruhollah Bazghandi, identified as the IRGC's counter-intelligence chief, and Shahram Alireza Tamarzadeh Jaki, described as facilitating the activities of the sanctioned Zandishti criminal network, accused of plotting against Iranian dissidents.