Iran summons UK envoy after PM Burnham hints Tehran link in Fairford 'terror plot'
Iran has summoned the British ambassador to protest Prime Minister Andy Burnham's allegations of Iranian involvement in a security incident at RAF Fairford. Tehran has dismissed the claims as baseless and criticized the UK for its military cooperation with the US and Israel.
Why it matters
The diplomatic friction highlights escalating tensions between the UK and Iran, exacerbated by the use of British bases for regional military operations.
Iran's foreign ministry summoned the British ambassador on Thursday, protesting Prime Minister Andy Burnham's remark suggesting Tehran's involvement in the Fairford base incident.Iran’s deputy foreign minister for political affairs, Majid Takht-Ravanchi, summoned ambassador Hugo Shorter and objected to Britain's continued hostile approach toward Iran. WANA news agency reported.Earlier, the UK PM had mentioned "strong indications" of Tehran's involvement in the airbase incident."There are strong indications that Iran played a part in what happened over the weekend at RAF Fairford," Burnham told the BBC.Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi dismissed the allegations and said Burnham was "barking up the wrong tree"."I can confirm Iran's belief that releasing supposed terrorists working for foreign states really says it all," he wrote on social media.Ravanchi also pointed to what Iran views as Britain's international responsibility for a range of actions against the Iranian people.He called out the Kingdom's provision of military bases and facilities under…
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