Burnham Says Iran Likely Involved in UK Airbase Incident

Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the UK government believes the Iranian state was behind a security incident at an airbase that’s used by the US to launch strikes on the country.

Five men remain under investigation by police after being arrested on Sunday on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, England. While investigators said they didn’t find explosive devices at the scene, they did recover a quantity of fuel. The men were bailed as the probe continues.

Asked by the BBC on Wednesday whether a foreign actor was involved, Burnham replied: “We believe so. 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.”

“Of course, we are working closely with our colleagues in the United States of America,” he added. “We can confirm our belief that we believe Iran to have played a part.”

The Iranian Embassy in London on Monday had said that it “categorically rejects and strongly condemns” what it dismissed as “unfounded and malicious” attempts to link the case to Iran. Such speculation would “serve no purpose other than to fuel Iranophobia propaganda in the UK,” the embassy said in a statement posted on the social media platform X.

RAF Fairford serves as the preferred forward operating base for bomber aircraft in Europe for the US Air Force Global Strike Command. Burnham in July approved the use of the base by the US for “defensive strikes” against Iran, continuing the policy of his predecessor, Keir Starmer.

Bloomberg reported earlier this week that investigators considered a plot involving so-called Iranian proxies as the most likely explanation for the incident.

Burnham was also asked why the men were bailed given the apparent severity of the incident. US President Donald Trump has criticized the decision to release the men. The prime minister suggested the men had not been released under bail typical conditions.

“I think people need to understand that, you know, when it says ‘released,’ that isn’t as people might think. It’s obviously with the strictest possible bail conditions.”

Pressed on whether they had been released, Burnham said: “The authorities have this under, as I say, the strongest grip and the closest control, and I can assure you of that.”

He added that UK officials had spoken to US counterparts to explain the circumstances of their release. “I have complete confidence in the way British security services are handling this.”