The foreign secretary has summoned the Iranian ambassador to make clear that “Britain will not tolerate threats on our soil” following last month’s incident at RAF Fairford.<\/p>\n
Ed Miliband said Iran’s “continued attempts” to undermine the UK’s security “through its criminal networks, proxy groups and state-backed malign activity is unacceptable”.<\/p>\n
Prime Minister Andy Burnham told MPs on Monday that the incident at the airbase in Gloucestershire was “almost certainly directed by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard”.<\/p>\n
Iran’s ambassador to the UK, Seyed Ali Mousavi, said Tehran was not involved and was willing to cooperate with British authorities.<\/p>\n
The Foreign Office has also sanctioned two Iranians, including the head of the regime’s counterespionage operations – with both men subjected to travel bans and asset freezes.<\/p>\n
Burnham also indicated Iran could be hit with further sanctions over its suspected role.<\/p>\n
It comes as the UK and 28 other countries – including the US, Canada, Australia, France and Germany – issued a joint statement condemning “in the strongest terms” violent attacks by Iran. <\/p>\n
The statement accuses Tehran of carrying out “lethal plotting, arson, sabotage, cyber-attacks, and other hybrid activities” and also recognises the UK’s attribution of Iranian involvement in the incident at RAF Fairford.<\/p>\n
A huge police operation began after officers were alerted to three suspicious vehicles near the base in the early hours of 27 September.<\/p>\n
Dozens of homes were evacuated in the nearby village of Whelford and a large cordon was put in place around the site.<\/p>\n
So far, a total of seven men – all in their 20s – have been arrested and later bailed in connection with the incident. No one has been charged.<\/p>\n
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is expected to provide an update on the incident in the Commons later.<\/p>\n