British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said on Monday that there was a strong possibility that a suspected plot targeting RAF Fairford had been coordinated from Iran, adding that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) was likely to have directed the operation.
Speaking before Parliament, Burnham stressed that the UK would respond firmly to any threats against its territory. He said the government would target criminal networks allegedly used by Iran, pursue their funding sources, and introduce additional sanctions aimed at restricting Tehran’s and the IRGC’s ability to threaten British security.
Meanwhile, British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband condemned what he described as Iran’s ongoing efforts to undermine the security of the United Kingdom and its international partners through criminal networks and proxy groups.
Miliband said London had repeatedly warned Tehran that threats against British territory would not be tolerated. He also confirmed that he had instructed officials to summon Iran’s ambassador to the UK to reiterate the government’s position.
The foreign secretary announced sanctions against two Iranian nationals suspected of facilitating or participating in hostile activities on behalf of the Iranian regime. He reaffirmed Britain’s determination to counter such activities and protect its national security.
Miliband further stated that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had been added to the UK sanctions list under new powers introduced to address threats posed by foreign states.
