Suspected RAF Fairford plot: U.K. prime minister says Iran's Revolutionary Guard 'almost certainly' directed it
Summary
Five men were arrested near RAF Fairford, a U.S.-run air base in England used by American bombers to strike Iran, and released on bail; British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said there were 'strong indications' Iran played a part. A sixth man, a dual U.K.-Iranian national, was arrested in London and also released on bail, and on October 6 police arrested a seventh man, 22, in London on suspicion of a terror offense linked to Iran, who was released on bail on October 8. The U.S. Air Force has brought all its bombers at RAF Fairford back to the United States. On October 12, Burnham said the security incident was 'almost certainly' directed by Iran, the LA Times, The Philadelphia Inquirer and PBS NewsHour reported, the latter two naming Iran's Revolutionary Guard, and the Inquirer added that all seven men arrested in the investigation have been released on bail and no one has been charged so far. On October 13, the head of MI5 said Iran is trying to hit military sites in the U.K. and that the suspected plot to attack the U.S.-run air base in September is not unique, The Philadelphia Inquirer, ABC News and the LA Times reported, the LA Times adding that Ken McCallum, who leads the U.K.'s domestic security service, said Tehran is seeking to intensify its attacks in Britain beyond the traditional targets of Iranians opposed to the country's Islamic authorities.
Latest: MI5 chief Ken McCallum said Iran is trying to hit military sites in the U.K., that the suspected plot to attack RAF Fairford in September is not unique and that Tehran is seeking to intensify its attacks in Britain, The Philadelphia Inquirer, ABC News and the LA Times reported.
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How it unfolded
Tuesday 13 October
MI5 chief Ken McCallum said Iran is trying to hit military sites in the U.K., that the suspected plot to attack RAF Fairford in September is not unique and that Tehran is seeking to intensify its attacks in Britain, The Philadelphia Inquirer, ABC News and the LA Times reported.
- 11:28LA TimesMI5 chief says Iran is targeting military sites and suspected plot at RAF Fairford is 'not unique’
- 08:26ABC NewsSpy chief says Iran targeting military sites, suspected plot at RAF base 'not unique’
- 08:07The Philadelphia InquirerMI5 chief says Iran is targeting military sites and suspected plot at RAF Fairford is 'not unique’
Monday 12 October
Andy Burnham said the security incident at RAF Fairford was 'almost certainly' directed by Iran's Revolutionary Guard; all seven men arrested in the investigation have been released on bail and no one has been charged so far, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported.
- 18:25PBS NewsHourSuspected plot at U.S.-run air base almost certainly directed by Iran, UK prime minister says
- 14:52The Philadelphia InquirerSuspected plot at U.S.-run air base almost certainly directed by Iran, U.K. prime minister says
- 12:10The Philadelphia InquirerSecurity incident at US-run air base almost certainly directed by Iran, UK prime minister says
- 12:04LA TimesSecurity incident at U.S.-run air base almost certainly directed by Iran, U.K. prime minister says
- 10:58The Philadelphia InquirerSecurity incident at US-run airbase was almost certainly directed by Iran, UK prime minister says
- 10:53The Philadelphia InquirerUK prime minister says a security incident at a US-run air base almost certainly directed by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard
Thursday 8 October
Police released on bail a 22-year-old British man arrested on suspicion of plotting a terror attack at the base, the seventh man bailed in the investigation of the apparent plot aimed at RAF Fairford.
- 06:49ABC NewsA British man is bailed after his arrest in security incident at a US-run military base in England
- 06:40The Philadelphia InquirerA British man is bailed after his arrest in security incident at a US-run military base in England
- 06:07The Philadelphia InquirerA British man has been released on bail after his arrest in security incident at a US-run military base in England
Tuesday 6 October
British police arrested a seventh man, 22, in London on suspicion of a terror offense linked to Iran over the incident at the U.S.-run air base.
Sunday 4 October
The U.S. Air Force removed all bombers from the British air base targeted by a suspected terror attack and returned them to the United States.
- 19:42FortuneAir Force removes all bombers from British base and redeploys them to the U.S. after a planned terror attack linked to Iran was foiled
- 18:28ABC NewsUS Air Force removes all bombers from British air base targeted by a suspected terror attack
- 18:14NBC NewsU.S. Air Force removes all bombers from British air base targeted in a suspected terror plot
- 17:53CBS NewsU.S. military removes bombers from U.K. air base following security incident
- 17:37PBS NewsHourAP report: U.S. Air Force removes all bombers from British air base targeted by a suspected terror attack
- 17:34The Philadelphia InquirerU.S. Air Force removes all bombers from British air base targeted by a suspected terror attack
- 16:59The Philadelphia InquirerUS Air Force removes all bombers from British air base targeted by a suspected terror attack
- 16:49The Philadelphia InquirerUS Air Force removes all bombers from British air base targeted by a suspected terror attack, brings them back to the US
Saturday 3 October
The dual U.K.-Iranian national was released on bail, the sixth person taken into custody and then released as detectives investigate the incident.
Thursday 1 October
A dual U.K.-Iranian national was arrested in London over the security incident at the U.S.-run air base, and police searched two properties in the capital.
Wednesday 30 September
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the U.K. had 'strong indications' that Iran played a part in the incident involving five men arrested near a U.S.-run air base in England.
Monday 28 September
Five suspects arrested on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act near a U.K. Royal Air Force base were released on bail, police said.
- 11:31CBS News5 terror plot suspects released on bail in the U.K.