The story so far
- UK Says Iran Almost Certainly Directed RAF Fairford PlotYou are here
- UK Sanctions Two Iranian Nationals Over Airbase Plot5 sources
- MI5 Chief Warns of Most State Threats Since Cold War17 sourcesLatest
Updated 1w+ ago · World
UK Says Iran Almost Certainly Directed RAF Fairford Plot
Prime Minister Andy Burnham told MPs on Monday that the RAF Fairford incident was almost certainly directed by Iran's Revolutionary Guard. He said it was highly likely coordinated in Iran.
- 5 British men in their 20s were arrested near the base on Sept. 27.
- 3 vans were stopped; police recovered petrol but no explosive devices.
- 7 men in total were arrested; all are now released on bail.
- Britain summoned Iran's ambassador on Monday over the incident.
Why it matters: The assessment links Iran's government to a suspected plot against a U.S.-used airbase in England. The Sun reports that U.S. bombers have flown strikes against Iran from the base.
- Burnham promised action against Iran's use of criminal networks and their funding.
- He also pledged further sanctions on Iran and the Revolutionary Guard.
How 42 sources split on this story
Source landscape
Factuality
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Mixed
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Political Bias
Coverage by lean
42 sources · 61 articles · 47% Right coverage
Where they split: Coverage agrees on the facts and differs mainly in tone: The Sun calls it a bomb plot by Iranian henchmen, while The Hill describes a security incident.
Center coverage, 15 sources: The center presents it as a security incident at a U.S.-run base, emphasizing the diplomatic response.
The Hill1w+Iran targeting military sites in UK, MI5 chief saysCTV News1w+MI5 chief says Iran is targeting military sites and suspected plot at RAF Fairford is 'not unique’Associated Press1w+MI5 chief says Iran is targeting military sites and suspected plot at RAF Fairford is 'not unique’Deutsche Welle1w+Iran seeking 'harder targets' for attacks abroad, UK warnsIBTimes1w+Iran Rejected Trying to Target a British Airbase. But a London Top Spy Says Tehran is Behind Several Plots.Military.com1w+MI5 Chief Says Iran Is Targeting Military Sites and Suspected Plot at RAF Fairford Is ‘Not Unique’Times of Israel1w+MI5 chief says Iran is targeting military bases in UK, airbase plot ‘not unique’Axios1w+UK prime minister attributes plot against U.S. bomber base to IranBloomberg1w+UK Says Iran’s IRGC Directed Incident at Airbase Used by USJerusalem Post1w+UK PM Burnham says Iran's IRGC likely behind RAF Fairford bomb plotPBS NewsHour1w+Suspected plot at U.S.-run air base almost certainly directed by Iran, UK prime minister saysReuters1w+UK PM Burnham says Iran's IRGC likely behind RAF Fairford incidentStars and Stripes1w+British PM says incident at US-run base ‘almost certainly’ directed by IranThe National Desk1w+UK PM says Iran's Revolutionary Guard 'almost certainly' directed suspected air base plotWPXI Pittsburgh1w+Security incident at US-run air base almost certainly directed by Iran, UK prime minister says
Left coverage, 7 sources: The left frames the story around Burnham's statement in the Commons and his assessment of Iranian state direction.
The Independent1w+MI5 chief says Iran is targeting military sites and suspected plot at RAF Fairford is 'not unique’Al Jazeera1w+UK spy chief says Iran is stepping up targeting of military basesLos Angeles Times1w+MI5 chief says Iran is targeting military sites and suspected plot at RAF Fairford is 'not unique’The Boston Globe1w+UK security chief warns of escalating hybrid threats from Iran and RussiaNBC News1w+Britain faces ‘new era’ of security threats from Iran and Russia, MI5 saysThe Guardian1w+Iran’s Revolutionary Guards ‘almost certainly’ behind RAF Fairford threats, says BurnhamThe Washington Post1w+U.K. intelligence chief warns Iran is shifting plots to ‘harder targets’
Right coverage, 20 sources: The right casts it as a bomb plot by what it calls Iran's fanatical Revolutionary Guards, targeting a base used for strikes on Iran.
The Sun1w+Burnham reveals RAF Fairford ‘bomb’ plot was ‘almost certainly’ directed by Iran’s fanatical Revolutionary GuardsFox News1w+Iran almost certainly behind plot against base used by US in war, UK saysNewsmax1w+MI5 Chief: Iran Is Targeting Military Sites, Suspected Plot at RAF Fairford Is 'Not Unique'The Washington Times1w+MI5 chief says suspected Iranian plot to hit RAF Fairford is 'not unique'Washington Examiner1w+US and allies condemn IRGC 'hybrid activities' amid UK warning of Iran's aimBreitbart News1w+Britain Blames Iran’s IRGC for Attempted Terror Plot That Forced U.S. Bombers Out of the UKDaily Mail1w+Iran 'highly likely' to have been behind RAF Fairford incident says Burnham as he vows greater sanctions for Islamist regimeJust the News1w+UK's Burnham says Iran likely behind foiled plot on base hosting U.S. bombersLegal Insurrection1w+MI5 Chief Warns of Growing Iranian Threats to UK Military BasesNational Post1w+Plot at U.S.-run British air base 'almost certainly directed' by Iran's Revolutionary Guards: U.K. PMNTD1w+Terror Plot at UK Airbase ‘Almost Certainly’ Directed by Iran, British PM SaysPJ Media1w+UK Authorities Admit It: Iran’s IRGC Coordinated Attack on U.S.-Used AirbaseRedState1w+British PM Confirms Suspects It Released on Bail Were 'Highly Likely' Tied to Iran Terror PlotThe Center Square1w+UK's Burnham says Iran likely behind foiled plot on base hosting U.S. bombersThe Daily Caller1w+Iran Says They Weren’t Behind Terror Incident At UK Base Housing US BombersThe Daily Wire1w+Exposing Iran’s Plot Against American BombersThe Epoch Times1w+Terror Plot at UK Airbase ‘Almost Certainly’ Directed by Iran, British PM SaysTownhall1w+Burnham Confirms Iran Suspicions in RAF Fairford PlotWall Street Journal1w+Opinion | Why Is Britain Still Appeasing Iran?ZeroHedge1w+Terror Plot At UK Airbase 'Almost Certainly' Directed By Iran, British PM Says
What’s next: The Home Secretary is expected to give MPs a fuller update on the incident.
- Counterterror police are still investigating, and no suspect has been charged in the reporting so far.
- What evidence underpins the government's assessment that the Revolutionary Guard directed the incident?
- What were the suspects allegedly planning, given that no explosive devices were found?
- What new sanctions will the government impose, and when?
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