Two men have been charged with national security offences following an incident at RAF Fairford, an English airbase used by US bombers. The incident, which occurred in September, led to the temporary removal of US bombers from the site. The two men, both aged 24, are British nationals and live in Westminster. They were charged with assisting a foreign intelligence service and entering a prohibited area for a purpose prejudicial to the UK.
The incident involved the arrest of two men near the airbase on September 27, when police and bomb-disposal experts swarmed the area. Dozens of residents were evacuated as authorities searched for explosives. A quantity of gasoline was found in three vans, but no explosives were discovered. Both men were released on bail and re-arrested on October 20. British authorities have linked the incident to Iran, with Prime Minister Andy Burnham stating the plot was 'almost certainly' directed by Iran's Revolutionary Guard.
British officials have warned of an increasing threat from Iran and other countries, with MI5 head Ken McCallum stating that Tehran is intensifying attacks on UK military bases. The incident has led to concerns about the security of US allies' bases, with analysts warning of potential future attacks. The UK has previously linked Iran to 20 credible threats against its citizens, and has used new powers to ban support for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.