Why British PM Andy Burnham named Iran as likely culprit in air base plot

October 1, 2026 — 4:25am

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London: Political leaders are often wary of naming the culprit behind a security alert even when their officials quietly brief the media about threats from state spy agencies.

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham set aside that standard caution on Wednesday by naming Iran as a likely player in the alarming plot against a Royal Air Force base in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Burnham made a calculated decision to go public with the assessment from intelligence agencies about the threat to the Fairford air force base when he sat down for a scheduled interview with the BBC.

“There are strong indications that Iran played a part in what happened over the weekend at RAF Fairford, but of course, it remains an ongoing, complex and serious police investigation,” he said.

“And, of course, we are working closely with our colleagues in the United States of America.

UK air base ‘terror plot’ foiled when one of the suspects phoned police: report

“We are on top of it in every possible way imaginable. Police in Gloucestershire [and] our Counter Terrorism Police have done an outstanding job. I thank them for that.

“We will........

© The Sydney Morning Herald