UK Summons Iranian Ambassador After RAF Fairford Security Incident

Britain has summoned Iran's ambassador and imposed sanctions on two Iranian nationals following a suspected hostile operation near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire on September 27, 2026. Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband announced the diplomatic action on October 12, as Prime Minister Andy Burnham said British authorities assessed that Iran was highly likely to have coordinated the incident.

The measures target individuals accused of involvement in hostile activities on behalf of the Iranian government. The British government also warned that additional sanctions could follow, while foreign ministers from 30 countries issued a joint statement condemning alleged Iranian-backed attacks and expressing support for Britain's assessment of the Fairford incident.

Miliband said Iran's activities threatened British security and those of its international partners. He instructed the Foreign Office to summon Iranian Ambassador Seyed Ali Mousavi to communicate London's position directly to Tehran.

"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." Miliband said in his statement.

The two designated Iranian nationals are Ruhollah Bazghandi, identified as head of counterespionage operations within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and Shahram Ali Reza Tamarzadeh Jakki, described as a facilitator of the Zindashti criminal network. According to the British government, both face asset freezes and travel bans, alongside director disqualification measures.

The government said the designations were intended to address activities involving the facilitation or execution of hostile operations abroad. Britain has also designated the IRGC under its state-threat powers, according to Miliband.

Addressing lawmakers on October 12, Burnham said the government's assessment pointed to Iranian coordination and probable direction by the IRGC.

"I can confirm our assessment that it is highly likely to have been coordinated in Iran, almost certainly directed by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard." Burnham told MPs.

Burnham indicated that further restrictions could target Iran and the IRGC, including measures intended to limit their ability to conduct hostile activities against Britain. Iranian Ambassador Seyed Ali Mousavi denied Tehran's involvement in the Fairford incident and expressed willingness to cooperate with British authorities, according to the BBC.

The diplomatic response coincided with a joint statement from foreign ministers representing 30 countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, France and Germany. Published by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, the statement condemned alleged Iranian use of violent attacks, arson, sabotage, cyberattacks and other covert operations against participating countries and their partners.

The ministers explicitly recognized Britain's attribution of Iranian involvement in the September 27 incident and warned that governments would investigate and pursue those responsible for hostile activities carried out on behalf of foreign states. They also pledged closer international coordination, stronger national resilience and greater protection for affected communities.

The statement followed a recent campaign of attacks across Europe targeting Jewish communities, Iranian journalists and US interests. The attacks were claimed by Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya, also known as HAYI, according to the joint statement.

The Fairford investigation began after police received reports of three suspicious vehicles near the airbase in the early hours of September 27. Authorities established a security cordon and evacuated dozens of homes in nearby Whelford. Seven men in their 20s have been arrested and subsequently released on bail in connection with the incident, the BBC reported. No charges had been filed as of October 12.

RAF Fairford has served as a forward operating location for the US Air Force for decades. In recent months, the base hosted American B-1 and B-52 bombers operating in the Middle East after Britain approved a US request to use British facilities for defensive strikes against Iran. The United States subsequently withdrew approximately a dozen B-1 bombers from Fairford to their home stations, although the precise reason for their departure remained unclear.

In July, Iran warned that bases used for aggression against its territory could become legitimate military targets. The British government has maintained that it will use its available powers to address threats to national security, while the investigation into the Fairford incident continues.