U.K. prime minister: Iran ‘almost certainly’ behind alleged attack at RAF Fairford
by Vaughn Cockayne · The Washington TimesU.K. Prime Minister Andy Burnham said Monday it is “highly likely” Iran played a role in coordinating an alleged terror plot targeting an air base used by the U.S.
“We will not tolerate these threats on our soil,” Mr. Burnham said in a speech to Parliament.
He said counterterrorism police are using “our full range of powers” to target “Iran’s use of criminal networks” within the U.K.
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His remarks follow his government’s decision to summon Iran’s ambassador to the U.K. on Monday over Tehran-linked threats and hostile activity within the country.
In a statement, Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband reiterated Mr. Burnham’s remarks about using all available resources to combat malign Iranian influence in the U.K. and urged Ambassador Seyed Ali Mousavi to “reiterate this message in its entirety” to Tehran.
Earlier this month, authorities foiled a suspected terror attack at the RAF Fairford military base. Police arrested five men after they were spotted by residents exiting three large white vans.
Police found no explosives or weapons on the men or in the vans but did find an unspecified amount of gasoline, an accelerant. All five men were released on bail just a day after their arrest.
U.K. counterterrorism police have arrested at least three other individuals they say may have been involved in the incident this month. The suspects have been released on bail.
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RAF Fairford has been used by the U.S. to launch bombing raids against targets in Iran during the war, which began in late February. Iranian officials have said that the base, and others like it, would be a legitimate target for retaliatory strikes.
Mr. Burnham told the BBC earlier this month that he had reason to believe that Iran was behind the alleged terror plot, but neither he nor U.K. counter terrorism police have offered concrete evidence.
The British Foreign Office released a joint statement Monday with 29 nations, including the U.S., that recognize Britain’s attribution of Iran’s involvement in the RAF Fairford incident.
“We recognize the United Kingdom’s attribution of Iran’s involvement in the incident at RAF Fairford on 27 September. The U.K. has also concluded this event demonstrates the IRGC’s continued willingness to project hostile activity beyond its borders through covert networks and proxy actors,” the statement reads. “Iran should be in no doubt that we are united and remain committed to safeguarding our sovereignty and strengthening our international coordination, bolstering our national resilience, protecting our communities and ensuring that those responsible are held to account.”
Signatories also include France, Germany, Australia, Spain and Canada.
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Iran’s Foreign Ministry has rejected the accusations made by Mr. Burnham and others that it was involved in the incident.
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Vaughn Cockayne
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