Fairford base: Islamic Republic summons British ambassador for the second time

The Islamic Republic's foreign ministry summoned Hugo Shorter, Britain's ambassador in Tehran, on Tuesday, 13 October 2026. The summons came a day after British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the plot against RAF Fairford air base was very likely coordinated in Iran and almost certainly directed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Alireza Yousefi, assistant foreign minister and director-general for Western Europe at the Islamic Republic's foreign ministry, rejected London's accusations at the meeting and claimed that Britain is using them to evade responsibility for taking part in American and Israeli military attacks. He called on London to present its evidence as soon as possible and warned that otherwise Tehran would seriously reconsider its relations with Britain. He also accused Britain of hosting opponents of the Islamic Republic. The British ambassador said he would pass Tehran's position on to his government.

Second summons in two weeks

The Islamic Republic had already summoned the same ambassador over the same case on 1 October, when Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi called the accusations baseless. But since then the evidence against the IRGC has grown heavier: the United States and 28 other countries endorsed Britain's assessment in a joint statement, and London sanctioned two Iranian nationals over hostile activities. On Tuesday, too, MI5 head Ken McCallum said the Islamic Republic has targeted British military bases and that the Fairford plot was not an exception.

The Fairford base case

The incident on 27 September took place near RAF Fairford air base in south-west England, a base American bombers had used in strikes on the Islamic Republic. British police arrested five men on suspicion of terrorism and explosives offences, who were later released on bail with strict conditions. Police also arrested a 27-year-old dual British-Iranian national in London.

The Islamic Republic is demanding evidence from London even though 29 countries have endorsed Britain's assessment of the IRGC's role.