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The Australian government has joined other nations in condemning Iran’s involvement in an attempted terrorist attack against Royal Air Force Base Fairford in Gloucestershire, United Kingdom.
RAF Fairford, the United States Air Force’s only European airfield for heavy bombers, was involved in the incident earlier this year on 27 September. The UK government has recently indicated Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps was allegedly involved in the attempted attack.
UK authorities had previously detained then released five men after arresting them outside the Gloucestershire airbase following reports of suspicious vehicles.
The five UK nationals, all male and London residents, were detained then bailed under legislation related to the UK Explosives Act and preparation of a terrorist act.
Australia joins the governments of the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden in the joint statement.
“We recognise the United Kingdom’s attribution of Iran’s involvement in the incident at RAF Fairford on 27 September. The UK has also concluded this event demonstrates the IRGC’s continued willingness to project hostile activity beyond its borders through covert networks and proxy actors,” the statement said.
“This comes soon after the recent campaign of attacks across Europe targeting Jewish communities, Iranian journalists, and US interests, claimed by Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya (HAYI).
“Any attempt by Iran to threaten, silence, intimidate, harass, harm, or coerce people on our territories through proxies or any other means is unacceptable.
“Anyone who conducts hostile activities on behalf of Iran, or any other state, should know that we will take action to identify, investigate, disrupt, and prosecute these acts.
“Iran should be in no doubt that we are united and remain committed to safeguarding our sovereignty and strengthening our international coordination, bolstering our national resilience, protecting our communities, and ensuring that those responsible are held to account.”
Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) investigators have previously examined the scene of the incident and cordoned the area.
“This is a hugely complex and large-scale operation, involving local and national policing, the MOD, and local agencies, who are working together to progress the investigation and support for the community,” said Counter Terrorism Policing senior national coordinator Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans.
“I know this has been incredibly disruptive for local people, but I’d like to reassure them that our activity is in the interest of national security, but most importantly in the interest of their own safety.
“I’d also like to thank the emergency services for their response, including the armed officers who first attended the scene, not knowing what they may face.
“I am very aware of the levels of speculation about the motivation behind this incident and the geopolitical questions that are being raised. However, I ask that at this time, CTP are given the space to work carefully and clearly.”
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