The UK has imposed new sanctions on Iran and summoned its ambassador after Prime Minister Andy Burnham said it was highly likely Tehran co-ordinated an incident at RAF Fairford. The US removed bombers from the base following the incident, and Burnham promised further sanctions.
The UK imposed new sanctions on Iran and summoned its ambassador after Burnham said it was highly likely that Tehran co-ordinated an incident at RAF Fairford. The US had removed bombers from the Gloucestershire base because of it.
Burnham points to the Revolutionary Guards
Burnham told MPs the events at the base late last month were almost certainly directed by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards. According to the Financial Times, the comments are his strongest yet on the likelihood of Iranian involvement.
He also said the government would target Iran's use of criminal networks. In the House of Commons on Monday, Burnham rejected the threats: "We will not tolerate these threats on our soil."
Two individuals sanctioned
The Foreign Office said it had sanctioned Ruhollah Bazghandi, head of counter-espionage operations within Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps, with asset freezes and travel bans. Shahram Ali Reza Tamarzadeh Jakki, described by the UK as a facilitator for the Zindashti criminal network, was also sanctioned. That network has targeted Iranian dissidents.
Foreign secretary Ed Miliband said both men had the clear intent of threatening, planning or conducting attacks overseas. Middle East minister Stephen Doughty told the Iranian ambassador, Seyed Ali Mousavi, that the UK would not tolerate intimidation.
Bombers leave the base
The US withdrew 12 B-1 bombers from RAF Fairford at the start of this month. President Donald Trump has claimed some threats were made to the base, and the bombers had been involved in strikes against Iran.
Counterterror police have investigated the incident, which led to the evacuation of a nearby village. Seven British citizens were arrested and all seven have been released on bail. The UK government insists the base is safe and protected from possible threats.
Source: Financial Times
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