UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham Claims Iran Linked to RAF Fairford Airbase Plot, Prompting Angry Denial from Tehran

A B1 bomber prepares to take off as police officers man a checkpoint near RAF Fairford airbase, in Fairford, England, on September 29, 2026 [Alastair Grant/AP]. The United Kingdom’s Prime Minister Andy Burnham has stated that there are "strong indications" of Iranian involvement in a recent security incident at an airbase utilized by the United States, an allegation that has been firmly rejected by Tehran.

Speaking to the BBC broadcaster on Wednesday, Burnham explained that investigations regarding the suspected plot at the Royal Air Force base in Fairford are still ongoing. Five British men in their 20s were taken into custody near the facility on Sunday under suspicion of terrorism and explosives offenses, though all were released on bail the following day.

"There are strong indications that Iran played a part in what happened over the weekend at RAF Fairford, but of course it remains an ongoing, complex and serious police investigation," Burnham stated, adding that the UK is closely collaborating with counterparts in the United States of America. While the prime minister did not disclose specific targets of the suspects or the exact rationale behind the UK's suspicions, he promised further updates in due course.

This marks the first public accusation by a British official connecting Iran to the airbase events. In response, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi strongly rebuffed the claims on X, writing that releasing suspected operatives working for foreign states speaks volumes and telling the British leader he was barking up the wrong tree.

The RAF base, located 160km west of London, has historically supported US bombers during Middle East conflicts, including the ongoing war involving the US, Israel, and Iran that commenced in February. Previously, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) designated any base aiding attacks against its territory as a legitimate target.

Following three days of scrutiny that included bomb disposal operations, police reported finding no explosives in the inspected vehicles, recovering only a "quantity of petrol." Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticized the decision to grant bail, with Trump stating he would not have taken that action and Rubio noting widespread public concern.

Laurence Taylor, head of British counterterror policing, defended the bail decision as grounded in experience and strategy, noting that ongoing inquiries are exploring whether proxies or individuals knowingly or unknowingly acted on behalf of a foreign state.

Adding further mystery to the weekend events, The Times reported—without citing sources—that one of the suspects contacted emergency services shortly before his arrest. Investigators are currently weighing whether the actions constituted surveillance, a security "dry run," or a warning message to the British government, while police declined to comment on the reported emergency call.