Two British nationals have been charged with national security offenses in connection with an alleged plot against RAF Fairford, a US-operated military airbase in western England, according to police and prosecutors.
The Crown Prosecution Service identified the defendants as Mohmed Ahmad Abdulkarim and Nouman Essghir, both 24 and from London. They are scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday.
Abdulkarim faces a charge of assisting Iran's intelligence service, while Essghir is accused of entering a prohibited place for a purpose prejudicial to the UK. The charges fall under the National Security Act, which was updated in 2023 to address modern espionage and foreign interference threats.
Incident at RAF Fairford
The case stems from an incident on September 27, when Essghir was arrested outside the base. Armed police and army bomb-disposal teams descended on the rural area, prompting the evacuation of dozens of residents as a precaution. Authorities later said they found gasoline, an accelerant, in vans at the scene but no explosives.
RAF Fairford has been used by US bombers to strike targets in Iran during the recent conflict, making it a potential flashpoint. The incident led the US to withdraw its bombers from the base temporarily.
Iranian Involvement Alleged
British officials have pointed to Tehran's involvement in the suspected plot. Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the apparent plan was "almost certainly" directed by Iran's Revolutionary Guard. Iran has denied any role, though it has previously stated that it considers any base used to attack its territory a legitimate target.
This case is part of a broader pattern of heightened Iranian activity in the UK. Ken McCallum, head of MI5, warned earlier this month that both Iran and Russia are expanding their operations against British interests. He noted that more than 50 people have been arrested in connection with Iran-linked plots over the past year, and that the RAF Fairford incident was not an isolated event.
Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, head of National Counter Terrorism Policing, said: "We have seen a range of incidents in recent months that we believe have been directed by the Iranian state, and as the director general of MI5 said just the other week, we are working together to intervene, identify and respond to that threat."
Investigations continue, with six other men arrested and released on bail. The case underscores the evolving national security challenges facing the UK, particularly around military installations and foreign interference.
