UK Summons Iran Envoy After RAF Fairford Incident

Britain summoned Iran's ambassador and imposed sanctions on two Iranian nationals after authorities linked Tehran to suspected hostile activity involving RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, where seven men were arrested following a major police operation. The UK government said the measures were aimed at responding to threats against British security.

Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband told Iran's ambassador Seyed Ali Mousavi that Britain would not accept threats on its territory, while Prime Minister Andy Burnham told MPs the airbase incident was almost certainly directed by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard. No one has been charged and the seven arrested men were later released on bail.

"Britain will not tolerate threats on our soil" was the message delivered by Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband, according to the Foreign Office.

"continued attempts" was the phrase used by Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband while describing Iran's alleged efforts to undermine UK security.

Miliband's comments came as the Foreign Office announced sanctions against Ruhollah Bazgh and Shahram Ali Reza Tamarzadeh Jakki, including asset freezes and travel bans. The UK said Bazgh is the head of counterespionage operations within the IRGC and Jakki is involved in the Zindashti criminal network.

"Iran's continued attempts to undermine the security of the United Kingdom and international partners through its criminal networks, proxy groups and state-backed malign activity is unacceptable" was stated by Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband regarding the sanctions.

The UK government also cited statements from international partners after 29 countries condemned alleged Iranian hybrid attacks, including arson, cyberattacks and sabotage plots. The joint statement included recognition of UK claims regarding IRGC involvement in the RAF Fairford incident.

"Any attempt by Iran to threaten, silence, intimidate, harass, harm, or coerce people on our territories through proxies or any other means is unacceptable," stated the foreign ministers of 29 countries in a joint statement.

"Iran should be in no doubt that we are united and remain committed to safeguarding our sovereignty and strengthening our international coordination." stated the foreign ministers of 29 countries in the joint statement.

The countries said the RAF Fairford case reflected concerns over Iranian activity beyond its borders and referenced alleged covert networks and proxy actors.

"the IRGC's continued willingness to project hostile activity beyond its borders through covert networks and proxy actors." stated the foreign ministers of 29 countries in the joint statement.

Iran's ambassador Seyed Ali Mousavi denied Tehran's involvement and said Iran was willing to cooperate with British authorities. The UK also said further sanctions could follow.

"almost certainly directed by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard" was stated by Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who addressed MPs about the incident.

Police launched the RAF Fairford operation after officers were alerted to three suspicious vehicles near the base in the early hours of September 27, 2026. Dozens of homes in nearby Whelford were evacuated and a large security cordon was established.

"lethal plotting, arson, sabotage, cyber-attacks, and other hybrid activities" was included in the description of alleged Iranian actions by the joint statement from partner countries.

The statement followed concerns over attacks targeting Jewish communities, Iranian journalists and US interests across Europe. Iran has denied involvement in the RAF Fairford incident.

"any base used for aggression against Iranian territory constitutes a legitimate target for our forces" was previously stated by Iran in July regarding bases used for operations against its territory.