Andy Burnham has told parliament that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps was “almost certainly” behind the threats at RAF Fairford, the most definitive attribution of blame the UK has made since the incident late last month.
Addressing MPs on Monday about events at the base, the prime minister said: “I can confirm our assessment that it is highly likely to have been coordinated in Iran, almost certainly directed by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards.”
Burnham said Britain would bring further sanctions against Tehran and the IRGC, and that more information would follow in an update from the home secretary, Shabana Mahmood.
Five men from London drove to Whelford, a village next to the base used by the US air force, in three white vans shortly after midnight on 27 September. No bombs or explosives were found, and police released them on bail a day later.
A week after the incident, the US withdrew 12 B-1 bombers from the base. Reports at the time said Washington was concerned about a possible drone attack on a site it had used to strike Iran during the Middle East war in the spring and summer.
The prime minister’s brief remarks marked a step up from his earlier comments. In the days after the incident he had spoken of “strong indications” of an Iranian role, but he now appeared confident enough to apportion responsibility.
Despite his statement, it is still unclear what the authorities believe happened at Fairford. Some experts have speculated that the episode was a “feint” intended to show Iran could in theory attack a relatively open site.
British sources have repeatedly maintained that Iran lacks the capability for what would be a sophisticated drone attack. The incident nevertheless appears to have unnerved the US, which is worried about the security of its bases in Europe.
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