Two British nationals have been charged in connection with an alleged plot to assist Iran's intelligence service as part of the investigation into a suspected terror incident near RAF Fairford, a base in southwest England used by US bombers for strikes on Iran. One 24-year-old man faces a charge of engaging in conduct likely to materially assist a foreign intelligence service, which police say is believed to be Iran, while a dual British-Iranian national, also 24, has been charged with entering a prohibited place for a purpose prejudicial to the UK.
Five British men were arrested outside the base on 27 September, shortly before US bombers were withdrawn from RAF Fairford on security grounds. British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said earlier this month that the activity at the base was likely to have been coordinated in Iran, a claim Iran's ambassador to Britain has denied.
The first, a British national, is charged with conduct between 31 August and 28 September that was likely to materially assist a foreign intelligence service; police said the country is believed to be Iran. The second, a dual British-Iranian national, is charged with entering a prohibited place on 22 August, before his first arrest outside RAF Fairford. Both are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court later today.
Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, Head of National Counter Terrorism Policing, said: "We have seen a range of incidents in recent months that we believe have been directed by the Iranian state and, as the Director General of MI5 said just the other week, we are working together to intervene, identify and respond to that threat."
Police said six other people, four of whom are British nationals arrested outside RAF Fairford last month, remain on police bail.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The case highlights UK concerns about Iranian intelligence operations on British soil, with a series of alleged state-directed incidents.
- The involvement of a base used by US bombers for strikes on Iran raises the stakes for the security of allied military installations.
- The court proceedings may shed light on the scale of foreign intelligence activity in the UK.
Background
RAF Fairford, a Royal Air Force base in Gloucestershire, has been used by US bombers for operations including strikes on Iran. The withdrawal of those bombers after the September arrests underscores the security implications of the alleged plot.
Key Perspectives
Andy Burnham: The British prime minister said the activity at RAF Fairford was likely coordinated in Iran.
Iran's ambassador to Britain: Denied that the activity was coordinated in Iran.
Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor: Said police have seen a range of incidents in recent months believed to be directed by the Iranian state.
What to Watch
- The court appearance today may set dates for further hearings or trial.
- Whether the charges lead to diplomatic escalation between the UK and Iran.
- Any further arrests or charges from the continuing investigation.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 11 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedTwo British nationals have been charged over an alleged plot to aid Iran at RAF Fairford.RTÉ News: “Two British nationals have been charged over a plot to assist Iran's intelligence service as part of the investigation into the suspected terror incident near a RAF base in the UK.”
- SupportedPolice say incidents were directed by the Iranian state.RTÉ News: “We have seen a range of incidents in recent months that we believe have been directed by the Iranian state”
- Partly supportedIran denies involvement.RTÉ News: “British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said earlier this month that the activity at RAF Fairford was likely to have been coordinated in Iran, which Iran's ambassador to Britain has denied.”
- SupportedThe charges are connected to an alleged plot to assist Iran's intelligence service and an investigation into a suspected terror incident near RAF Fairford.RTÉ News: “Two British nationals have been charged over a plot to assist Iran's intelligence service as part of the investigation into the suspected terror incident near a RAF base in the UK.”
- SupportedA 24-year-old British national was charged with conduct likely to materially assist a foreign intelligence service between 31 August and 28 September.RTÉ News: “A 24-year-old British national was charged with engaging in conduct that was likely to materially assist a foreign intelligence service between 31 August and 28 September”
- SupportedPolice believe the foreign intelligence service in the first man's charge is Iran.RTÉ News: “with police saying the country is believed to be Iran.”
- SupportedA 24-year-old dual British-Iranian national was charged with entering a prohibited place for a purpose prejudicial to the UK on 22 August.RTÉ News: “A 24-year-old dual British-Iranian national who was first arrested outside RAF Fairford on 27 September, was charged with one offence of entering a prohibited place for a purpose prejudicial to the UK on 22 August.”
- SupportedFive British men were arrested outside the base on 27 September, shortly before US bombers were withdrawn from RAF Fairford on security grounds.RTÉ News: “they were withdrawn on security grounds shortly after five British men were arrested outside the base in southwest England in the early hours of 27 September.”
- SupportedAndy Burnham said earlier this month that activity at RAF Fairford was likely to have been coordinated in Iran.RTÉ News: “British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said earlier this month that the activity at RAF Fairford was likely to have been coordinated in Iran”
- SupportedIran's ambassador to Britain denied Burnham's claim about coordination in Iran.RTÉ News: “which Iran's ambassador to Britain has denied.”
- SupportedAssistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor said: “We have seen a range of incidents in recent months that we believe have been directed by the Iranian state and, as the Director General of MI5 said just the other week, we are working together to intervene, identify and respond to that threat.”RTÉ News: “Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, Head of National Counter Terrorism Policing in the UK, said in a statement: "We have seen a range of incidents in recent months that we believe have been directed by the Iranian state and, as the Director General of MI5 said just the other week, we are working together to intervene, identify and respond to that threat."”
- SupportedSix other people, including four British nationals arrested outside RAF Fairford last month, remain on police bail.RTÉ News: “Police said that six other people, four of whom are British nationals who were arrested outside RAF Fairford last month, remain on police bail.”