MI5 chief warns Iran is targeting British military sites

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 13 Oct, 13:32 · Archive

Iran is attempting to attack military sites in Britain, MI5's director general said, describing a September plot against RAF Fairford as part of a broader pattern.

MI5 director general Ken McCallum said Tuesday that Iran is attempting to intensify attacks in Britain beyond traditional targets, now seeking to hit military sites. He described a suspected plot against RAF Fairford, a U.S.-run air base in western England, as part of a broader pattern of Iranian activity.

The incident at RAF Fairford occurred on 27 September, when scores of residents were evacuated as armed police and bomb-disposal experts responded. Police found quantities of accelerant—gasoline—in three vans at the site, but no explosives. British authorities have linked Tehran to the incident, which prompted the U.S. to withdraw its bombers from the base. Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the apparent plot was 'almost certainly' directed by Iran's Revolutionary Guard.

McCallum's statement acknowledged that attacks have included arson and sabotage against Jewish sites, which Britain says were carried out by Iranian proxies. He noted that the RAF Fairford incident 'is not unique. There have been other examples, not just in the U.K. but around the world'. Seven men in their 20s have been arrested and released on bail under investigation.

How it is being reported

• MI5 chief says Iran is targeting military sites and suspected plot at RAF Fairford is 'not unique’The head of MI5 says Iran is trying to hit military sites in the U.K. and the suspected plot to attack a U.S.-run military air base in September is not unique.Clickorlando · 13 Oct, 13:01
• MI5 chief says Iran is targeting military sites and suspected plot at RAF Fairford is 'not unique’The head of MI5 says Iran is trying to hit military sites in the U.K. and the suspected plot to attack a U.S.-run military air base in September is not unique.News4Jax · 13 Oct, 13:01

In this story: Iran · MI5 · Ken McCallum · RAF Fairford · Andy Burnham · Iran's Revolutionary Guard

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