The UK Counter-Terrorism Police announced on Tuesday that two British nationals have been formally charged with "compromising national security" as part of the investigation into an incident that occurred near Fairford Air Base in late September.
Agence France-Presse quoted Counter-Terrorism Police Chief Lawrence Taylor in a statement: "One of the men is accused of providing assistance to the intelligence service of a foreign state, which we believe to be Iran, while the other suspect was charged with entering a prohibited site for a purpose detrimental to the United Kingdom."
Taylor added, according to the statement: "Over the past few months, we have observed a series of incidents that we believe were orchestrated by the Iranian state."
Incident Details and Investigations
British police intervened on September 27 following reports of "three suspicious vehicles" near Fairford Air Base in southwest England, which the United States used in its war against Iran. A wide security perimeter was established around the base, and dozens of surrounding homes were evacuated.
Police found "no explosives" inside the vehicles, but discovered "quantities" of gasoline. Five other men were arrested in connection with the investigation before being released on bail.
International Reactions
The United States announced days after the incident that it was withdrawing its bombers stationed at the base due to "threats" related to Iran, according to US President Donald Trump.
For his part, British Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated before the House of Commons on October 12 that the incident was "almost certainly directed by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard."
Source: Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)
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