Iran Denies RAF Fairford Plot Claims, Summons British Ambassador

Iran summoned the British ambassador in Tehran on Wednesday to reject accusations linking the Islamic Republic to an alleged sabotage plot at RAF Fairford, the Gloucestershire air base used by the United States Air Force in England.

Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi conveyed Tehran's position to the envoy, describing the claims as "false and ridiculous." He demanded that London provide official clarification of the basis for the allegations, according to the Anadolu Agency report.

The summoning is a formal diplomatic step. It signals that Tehran regards the accusations as a matter requiring a direct response from the British government, rather than a media dispute. Iran has not accepted any link to the alleged plot, and the details of the allegations as presented in the United Kingdom have not been independently verified in the material available.

RAF Fairford is a Royal Air Force station that hosts American long-range bombers and support aircraft, which is why any alleged threat to it carries security and political weight for London and Washington alike.

The dispute adds friction to relations between Tehran and London at a time of wider regional tension. Qatar and other Gulf states have repeatedly called for de-escalation and for disputes to be handled through diplomatic channels, and they maintain working lines of communication with both Iran and Britain.

No British official response to the Iranian demand for clarification had been reported at the time of writing.