Britain's Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said the United Kingdom believes Iran was likely behind an alleged plot connected to RAF Fairford, a military airbase in Gloucestershire in England that has played a role in U.S. operations against Iran, escalating tensions between London and Tehran.
Speaking in Parliament, Burnham said British intelligence assessments indicate the operation was probably directed from Iran and was likely linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Iran's powerful military organisation.
Tehran has firmly rejected the allegation and demanded evidence to support the claim.
The controversy centres on RAF Fairford, an air base used by U.S. strategic bombers and regarded as a key military facility in Britain.
The site became the focus of a major counterterrorism operation in late September after several men were detained near the site on suspicion of terrorism-related offences. Investigators later released the suspects on bail while inquiries continued.
Officials have released few details about the alleged plot, but reports in U.S. media and comments from American officials have suggested concerns about a possible drone-related threat aimed at the installation.
The base drew additional attention earlier this year when U.S. aircraft stationed there were involved in operations targeting Iran.
Iranian officials have denied any involvement in the incident and dismissed Britain's assessment.
Tehran argues that London has not presented publicly available evidence linking Iran to the alleged scheme and has repeatedly rejected previous accusations of conducting covert operations in Britain.
The dispute has added to already strained relations between the two countries, which have disagreed over sanctions, regional security and Iran's military activities.
The UK government has signalled that it intends to take a harder line against what it describes as Iranian-backed hostile activity.
Burnham said Britain would intensify efforts to disrupt alleged criminal and proxy networks operating on behalf of Tehran and indicated that further sanctions could be imposed on individuals and organisations linked to the IRGC.
British officials have increasingly warned of what they describe as foreign-state threats operating inside the UK, including espionage, cyber activity and plots targeting dissidents and other individuals.
Britain's assessment has received backing from a group of Western allies, including the United States, Canada, France and Germany.
In a joint statement, nearly 30 countries condemned what they described as Iran's use of covert and hybrid tactics, including sabotage, cyber operations and alleged plots beyond its borders.
The statement reflected growing concern among Western governments about activities they believe are linked to Iranian security structures and proxy networks.
The latest allegations are part of a broader and long-running confrontation between Britain and Iran.
UK authorities have previously said they disrupted multiple alleged plots connected to Iran, including incidents involving threats against individuals residing in Britain. Tehran has consistently denied the accusations.
In recent months, Britain has also expanded sanctions and introduced new measures targeting groups and individuals accused of conducting activities linked to the IRGC.
While details surrounding the RAF Fairford case remain limited, the incident is already shaping up to be another flashpoint in the increasingly tense relationship between London and Tehran, with both sides standing firmly by their competing narratives.
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