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Suspected RAF Fairford plot: Burnham says Iran's Revolutionary Guard 'almost certainly' directed it
Summary
Five British men from London were arrested near RAF Fairford, a Gloucestershire base used by the US Air Force, on suspicion of explosives and terrorism offences, leading to the evacuation of nearby villagers, and were later released on bail; a sixth man, a dual UK-Iranian national, was arrested in London and also bailed, and on 6 October a seventh man, British, was arrested on suspicion of terrorism offences as a property in Westminster was searched. On 4 October the US withdrew its dozen B-1 bombers from the base: Marco Rubio declined to link the move to the plot, President Trump said they were pulled in the face of 'some threats', and Downing Street insisted the base was safe. Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who had said there were strong indications that Iran played a part, told MPs on Monday 12 October that the incident was 'almost certainly' directed by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and vowed to sanction Iran, according to Metro UK, The Independent and the Evening Standard. The Iranian ambassador was summoned to show 'Britain will not tolerate threats', the Evening Standard and The Independent reported, BBC News saying Miliband had summoned the ambassador.
Latest: Andy Burnham told MPs the RAF Fairford incident was 'almost certainly' directed by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and vowed to sanction Iran, and the Iranian ambassador was summoned to show 'Britain will not tolerate threats'.
Written automatically by an AI from the articles' headlines and descriptions. It can contain errors: follow the links to read the articles.
How it unfolded
Monday 12 October
Andy Burnham told MPs the RAF Fairford incident was 'almost certainly' directed by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and vowed to sanction Iran, and the Iranian ambassador was summoned to show 'Britain will not tolerate threats'.
- 12:30The IndependentAndy Burnham: RAF Fairford incident ‘almost certainly’ directed by Iran
- 12:28Evening StandardAndy Burnham: RAF Fairford incident ‘almost certainly’ directed by Iran
- 12:14BBC NewsBritain won't tolerate threats on our soil, Miliband says as he summons Iran ambassador
- 11:40The IndependentUK summons Iranian ambassador to show ‘Britain will not tolerate threats’
- 11:25Evening StandardUK summons Iranian ambassador to show ‘Britain will not tolerate threats’
- 11:17The IndependentAndy Burnham vows to sanction Iran after RAF Fairford incident
- 11:06Metro UKIran’s IRGC ‘almost certainly’ directed RAF Fairford incident, Burnham says
- 10:58The IndependentSecurity incident at US-run airbase was almost certainly directed by Iran, UK prime minister says
- 10:58The IndependentRAF Fairford incident ‘almost certainly’ directed by Iran’s security force, Burnham says
Sunday 11 October
The Guardian asked how big a threat Iran poses to the UK after the RAF Fairford incident, writing that despite scepticism about Tehran's capabilities it has become clear it wants Britain to feel it poses a risk.
- 05:00The GuardianAfter RAF Fairford incident, how big a threat to the UK is Iran?
Tuesday 6 October
A seventh man, British, was arrested on suspicion of terrorism offences in the RAF Fairford investigation, as a property in Westminster was searched; police said they are pursuing multiple lines of inquiry.
- 09:05Metro UKSeventh man arrested over RAF Fairford ‘terror plot’
- 08:54The IndependentSeventh man arrested by counter-terror police in RAF Fairford investigation
- 08:34Manchester Evening NewsBritish man arrested on suspicion of terror offences in RAF Fairford plot
- 08:32The IndependentBritish man arrested over terror offences in connection to RAF Fairford incident
- 08:30The IndependentSeventh man arrested by counter-terrorism police in RAF Fairford investigation
- 08:25Evening StandardSeventh man arrested by counter-terrorism police in RAF Fairford investigation
Monday 5 October
President Trump said the US pulled its bombers from RAF Fairford in the face of 'some threats', after Marco Rubio declined to link the withdrawal to the suspected plot and Downing Street insisted the base was safe.
- 16:11Evening StandardUS bombers pulled from RAF Fairford in face of ‘some threats’, says Trump
- 15:58BBC NewsTrump says 'threat' led US to pull bombers from RAF Fairford
- 15:56The Independent‘Threats’ led to US decision to remove bombers from RAF Fairford, says Trump
- 15:50The IndependentUS bombers pulled from RAF Fairford in face of ‘some threats’, says Trump
- 09:40The IndependentUS insists RAF Fairford bomber withdrawal not linked to security alert
- 09:32Evening StandardUS insists RAF Fairford bomber withdrawal not linked to security alert
- 09:14The GuardianNo 10 insists RAF Fairford is safe after US withdraws its bombers from base
- 08:52Manchester Evening NewsAndy Burnham insists RAF Fairford is safe following suspected terror plot
- 08:07BBC NewsNo10 insists UK military base RAF Fairford is safe after US withdraws bombers
- 08:04The IndependentRAF Fairford is ‘safe’ Britain insists – after US withdraws bombers
- 08:00The IndependentRAF Fairford ‘safe’ after US withdraws bombers, Downing Street says
- 07:42Evening StandardRAF Fairford ‘safe’ after US withdraws bombers, Downing Street says
- 05:37The IndependentWhy has the US withdrawn military bombers from RAF Fairford in the UK?
- 02:51The IndependentUS bombers withdrawn from RAF Fairford after new threats against base – report
- 02:51Evening StandardUS bombers withdrawn from RAF Fairford after new threats against base – report
- 01:58EuronewsUS pulls all B-1 bombers from UK airbase at centre of terror probe
- 01:33Metro UKUS removes fighter jets from RAF Fairford after alleged terror plot
- 00:58BBC NewsUS air force removes all bombers from British military base RAF Fairford
Sunday 4 October
- 23:44Liverpool EchoUS bombers withdrawn from RAF Fairford after fresh terror threats
- 23:29Manchester Evening NewsUK terror warning as US removes all bombers from RAF Fairford amid Iran-backed plot
- 18:05The IndependentUS withdraws bombers from RAF Fairford over suspected terrorist plot
- 17:56The IndependentUS Air Force removes all bombers from British air base targeted by a suspected terror attack
- 17:40The IndependentUS Air Force withdraws all bombers from RAF Fairford after suspected terror plot
- 17:38Manchester Evening NewsUS withdraws its bombers from RAF Fairford after suspected terror plot
- 17:26Financial TimesUS recalls B-1 bombers from RAF Fairford following alleged terror plot
- 17:25The GuardianUS bombers sent home from RAF Fairford base after suspected bomb plot
- 17:20The IndependentUS withdraws bombers from RAF Fairford after suspected terror plot
- 17:18Evening StandardUS withdraws bombers from RAF Fairford after suspected terror plot
- 17:00Sky NewsUS removes all Air Force bombers from RAF Fairford
Saturday 3 October
A sixth man arrested in connection with the suspected RAF Fairford terror plot was released on bail.
- 11:12Metro UKUK-Iranian RAF Fairford terror suspect bailed as Westminster addresses searched
- 09:19The GuardianUK-Iran national arrested over alleged bomb plot at RAF Fairford released on bail
- 07:46Evening StandardUK-Iranian man arrested in London over RAF Fairford 'terror plot' released on bail
- 07:09The IndependentMan bailed over suspected Iran terror plot at RAF Fairford
- 07:00The IndependentDual UK-Iranian national released on bail over suspected plot against US-run military base
- 06:41Evening StandardSixth man arrested over suspected RAF Fairford terror plot bailed
- 06:31Manchester Evening NewsPolice bail sixth man arrested in connection with suspected RAF Fairford terror plot
Thursday 1 October
- 17:48The IndependentUK-Iranian national arrested over alleged RAF Fairford bomb plot
- 13:15Manchester Evening NewsSixth man arrested in connection with suspected RAF Fairford terror plot
- 13:10The IndependentSixth man arrested in connection with suspected RAF Fairford terror plot
- 12:55Evening StandardSixth man arrested in connection with suspected RAF Fairford terror plot
- 12:53Evening StandardIran-UK national arrested in London on suspicion of preparation of terrorist acts over RAF base 'attack plot'
- 12:49Metro UKTerror police arrest Iranian, 26, in London raids linked to RAF Fairford plot
- 12:41The IndependentSixth man arrested over alleged RAF Fairford bomb plot
- 11:19i NewsAll the signs that Iran was behind RAF Fairford ‘terror plot’
- 02:30The Independent‘Strong indications’ Iran played role in suspected Fairford terror plot, PM says
- 02:30Evening Standard‘Strong indications’ Iran played role in suspected Fairford terror plot, PM says
Wednesday 30 September
- 03:51Birmingham MailSuspect in RAF terror plot 'called police' before farmer made alert
- 01:28The IndependentSuspect in RAF Fairford plot called police himself to report incident
Tuesday 29 September
- 14:50Manchester Evening NewsCounter Terrorism Policing issue update on RAF Fairford incident after five men arrested
- 09:00Wales OnlineUS claims 'foreign actor' behind alleged RAF Fairford terror plot
- 07:45The IndependentSuspected terror plot at UK-US airbase ‘clearly involved a foreign actor’, Secretary of State Rubio claims
- 07:17Evening StandardTimeline of RAF Fairford 'terror plot' drama - and how five London suspects ended up released on bail
- 07:01Evening StandardThe timeline of arrest and bail of five London men in connection to suspected RAF terror plot
- 02:55The IndependentMarco Rubio claims RAF Fairford suspected terror plot ‘involved foreign actor’
- 02:43Manchester Evening News'Foreign actor' behind RAF Fairford suspected terror plot, says Marco Rubio
- 02:19The IndependentMarco Rubio claims RAF Fairford suspected terror plot ‘clearly involved a foreign actor’
- 01:45The GuardianTuesday briefing: Inside the suspected bomb plot at RAF Fairford
- 01:44Evening Standard'Foreign actor' behind suspected terror plot at RAF Fairford, says Marco Rubio - as Trump 'surprised' at release of London suspects
Monday 28 September
- 23:29The GuardianRubio says foreign actor was ‘clearly’ behind suspected RAF Fairford bomb plot
- 23:10The IndependentRAF Fairford suspected terror plot involved ‘a foreign actor’, says Marco Rubio
- 23:07Evening StandardRAF Fairford suspected terror plot involved ‘a foreign actor’, says Marco Rubio
- 16:54The IndependentTrump ‘surprised’ as UK releases RAF Fairford suspects on bail: ‘I wouldn’t have’
- 16:52Manchester Evening NewsDonald Trump expresses 'surprise' as RAF Fairford terror suspects bailed
- 15:57Birmingham MailDonald Trump 'surprised' at bail after RAF Fairford arrests
- 15:40The IndependentTrump ‘surprised’ as five suspects released on bail over suspected RAF Fairford plot
- 15:13The GuardianLocal representatives question official accounts after suspected bomb plot at RAF Fairford
- 13:52The GuardianQuestions remain over Iran’s link to alleged RAF Fairford bomb plot
- 12:00The IndependentPolice keeping ‘open mind’ over suspected airbase plot as five bailed
- 11:51Evening StandardPolice keeping ‘open mind’ over suspected airbase plot as five bailed
- 11:30The IndependentWhat to know about the suspected bomb plot against a US-run air base in England used in the Iran war
- 10:58Manchester Evening NewsFive men arrested near RAF Fairford on suspicion of terror offences released on police bail
- 10:51The IndependentRAF Fairford terror suspects released on bail as Iran denies involvement
- 10:48The IndependentMen arrested over RAF Fairford ‘bomb plot’ released on bail
- 07:56The GuardianFive men arrested at RAF Fairford are all UK nationals from London, say police
- 07:52Manchester Evening NewsPolice issue update into suspected RAF Fairford terror plot as five men arrested
- 07:50The IndependentFive British nationals arrested over suspected bomb plot near airbase
- 07:49Evening StandardFive men arrested over suspected terror plot against RAF Fairford are from London, say police
- 07:44Evening StandardFive British nationals arrested over suspected bomb plot near airbase
- 07:38The IndependentFive men arrested over RAF Fairford ‘bomb plot’ are British nationals, police say
- 04:08The IndependentRAF Fairford: What happened and who is behind the alleged terror plot?
- 03:40The GuardianRAF Fairford live updates: police investigate Iran link to suspected bomb plot
Sunday 27 September
- 19:10The IndependentPolice investigate whether Iran linked to suspected RAF base terror plot
- 19:01Evening StandardPolice investigate whether Iran linked to suspected RAF base terror plot
- 12:14The IndependentRAF Fairford: All we know about alleged terror plot as five men arrested near airbase
- 04:27Evening StandardRAF Fairford: Major incident declared as men arrested near base used by US Air Force
- 04:26Liverpool EchoMen arrested under Explosives Act as villagers evacuated near RAF base
- 04:15The HeraldVillagers evacuated near RAF Fairford after men arrested over explosives offences
- 04:10The GuardianMajor incident declared near RAF Fairford as men arrested on suspicion of explosives offences
- 03:58Manchester Evening NewsMajor incident declared as men arrested near RAF base and residents evacuated
- 03:50The IndependentMen arrested under Explosives Act as villagers evacuated near RAF Fairford
- 03:42Evening StandardMen arrested under Explosives Act as villagers evacuated near RAF Fairford