Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel warned the UK about a suspected "Iranian-sponsored" plot near RAF Fairford and suggested the warning arrived shortly before Britain imposed trade restrictions on West Bank settlement goods. UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said there were "strong indications" of Iranian involvement but withheld details due to an ongoing police investigation. Five British men in their mid-20s were arrested and later bailed; petrol was found in the vans but no explosives. The episode has intensified a diplomatic row and prompted calls for possible expulsions if Iran is confirmed to be involved.
Netanyahu Says Israel Shared Intelligence With UK Over Suspected Iran-Sponsored Plot Near RAF Fairford
FILE PHOTO - Police at a road block on the road to RAF Fairford after major incident has been declared, with armed police manning a cordon near the village of Whelford in Gloucestershire, near RAF Fairford which is used by the United States Air Force (USAF). (is associated with: «Netanyahu says Israel gave UK intelligence about suspected terror plot») Ben Birchall/PA Wire/dpa
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel provided British authorities with intelligence warning of a suspected "Iranian-sponsored" plot near the Royal Air Force base RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire.
In an interview with US broadcaster Fox News, Mr Netanyahu claimed the warning was passed to UK officials shortly before London announced new trade restrictions on goods from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. Netanyahu did not supply further operational details but suggested the timing underlined what he called a concerning political response from Britain.
"We gave the Brits the intel that there was going to be an attack, and it's an Iranian-sponsored attack, and pretty much the next day they slapped sanctions on us," Netanyahu said, adding that the perceived response represented a dangerous "caving in" to an "Islamist-Marxist alliance."
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham told reporters there were "strong indications" that Iran played a role in the incident near RAF Fairford, but he declined to provide further detail because the matter remains the subject of an "ongoing, complex and serious police investigation." The Foreign Office has been approached for comment on Mr Netanyahu's claim.
FILE PHOTO - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu holds up a pager prop while addressing the 80th UN General Assembly at the United Nations headquarters in New York City. (is associated with: «Netanyahu says Israel gave UK intelligence about suspected terror plot») Avi Ohayon/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
Five British nationals, all in their mid-20s, were arrested over the weekend on suspicion of explosives offences and terrorism after a security alert near the base. They were later released on bail while inquiries continue. Counter-terror police said petrol was found in the vans that triggered the alert but that no explosive devices were located.
RAF Fairford has been used recently by US long-range bombers after former prime minister Keir Starmer authorised the use of British bases for what were described as "defensive" strikes against Iran during the wider Middle East conflict. The arrests and the intelligence claims have heightened tensions between London and Jerusalem following the UK's announcement of restrictions on trade in goods from West Bank settlements.
The episode has prompted calls from opposition figures for tougher measures if Iran's involvement is confirmed. Calum Miller, the Liberal Democrats' foreign affairs spokesman, urged that the UK consider expelling any Iranian diplomats found to have assisted acts of terrorism on UK soil. UK authorities say they are working closely with international partners as the investigation continues.
Help us improve.
