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UK accuses Iran's Revolutionary Guard of plotting RAF base attack

British Defence Secretary links a security threat against RAF Fairford to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, while Tehran denies involvement in the alleged plot.

LSN India · 12 October 2026

UK accuses Iran's Revolutionary Guard of plotting RAF base attack

The United Kingdom has attributed a reported security threat targeting RAF Fairford, a key Royal Air Force installation, to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Defence Secretary John Healey drew the connection during parliamentary proceedings, escalating tensions between London and Tehran over the alleged plot.

The RAF Fairford base in Gloucestershire serves as a critical facility for Britain's military operations and hosts allied forces. The disclosure of a specific threat against the installation has prompted heightened security measures and renewed scrutiny of Iranian activities in European airspace and beyond.

Iranian officials have firmly rejected the British allegations, denying any role in planning or executing operations against British military targets. The denial reflects the broader geopolitical friction between the UK and Iran, which has intensified amid regional tensions and disputes over nuclear negotiations.

The accusation adds to a series of incidents in recent months involving suspected Iranian reconnaissance and surveillance operations across Europe. Intelligence agencies in Western nations have cited growing concerns about IRGC-linked cells and their potential to conduct covert operations on European soil.

The incident underscores the persistent security challenges facing NATO and allied nations in countering perceived Iranian threats to military installations and personnel across the continent.