U.K. PM Burnham says Iran’s IRGC likely behind RAF Fairford incident
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has accused Iran's IRGC of coordinating a suspected drone plot against the RAF Fairford air base. While five men were arrested, they were released without charge as authorities continue to investigate potential state-sponsored terrorism.
Why it matters
This incident marks a significant escalation in geopolitical tensions between the U.K. and Iran, potentially leading to new sanctions and increased security measures.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said on Monday (October 12, 2026) that a suspected plot targeting the RAF Fairford air base in Britain was “highly likely” to have been coordinated in Iran, and almost certainly directed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
The RAF Fairfordbase had been used by U.S. bombers to carry out strikes on Iran but last week, U.S. President Donald Trump said a threat linked to Iran had prompted the removal of the planes.
U.S. officials have told Reuters that there had been a suspected plot involving Iran to launch a drone attack.
“I can confirm our assessment that it is highly likely to have been coordinated in Iran, almost certainly directed by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard (IRGC),” Mr. Burnham told Parliament.
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