Iran denies link to Fairford Airbase arrests as UK vows action against proxies

September 28, 2026 at 08:29 PM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

Iran's embassy in London denied involvement in a suspected plot targeting RAF Fairford after five British nationals were arrested near the base on Sunday. UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said Britain would act against Iran's proxies, while counterterrorism police released the men on bail pending further investigation.

Key Facts

Five British nationals aged 23 to 25 from London were arrested near RAF Fairford on Sunday on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act.
Iran's embassy in London condemned the allegations as 'unfounded and malicious speculations' and reserved the right to take legal measures.
UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said on Monday that Britain 'will act against the proxies of Iran'.
The five suspects were released on bail on Monday afternoon with stringent conditions on movement and contact, according to Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor.
US President Donald Trump said the suspects had been under investigation by British and US authorities 'for a long time'.

The Arrests

British police arrested five men near RAF Fairford in southwest England on Sunday morning after receiving a tip about three suspicious vehicles heading towards the base. Counter Terrorism Policing identified the men as British nationals aged 23 to 25 from London, detained on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act and preparation of a terrorist act. The base hosts US military aircraft that have been used to bomb Iran amid the ongoing conflict between the two countries. On Monday afternoon, Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor announced the five were being released on bail following extensive interviews and inquiries, stressing the investigation was not over.

Iran's Denial

Iran's embassy in London issued a statement on Monday categorically rejecting and strongly condemning what it called 'unfounded and malicious speculations' linking Tehran to the incident. The embassy said the accusations would fuel 'Iranophobia propaganda' in Britain and reserved Iran's right to take appropriate legal measures. British police have not linked Iran to the arrests, and security officials are exploring multiple lines of enquiry, including a Russian sabotage operation or an Islamist plot. A source familiar with the investigation said an Iranian-linked motive is considered the most likely, while Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps had said in July that Fairford was a legitimate target.

UK and US Response

Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said on Monday that the UK must be prepared to confront all security threats facing Europe and the world, adding: 'We will act against the proxies of Iran.' US President Donald Trump said the suspects had been looking to do 'big damage' and had been under investigation by British and US authorities 'for a long time, and we got them'. The UK government previously authorised the US to use bombers based at RAF Fairford to strike Iranian missile sites attacking ships in the Strait of Hormuz.