UK summons Iranian ambassador to show ‘Britain will not tolerate threats’

Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband has summoned the Iranian ambassador following a suspected terror plot near RAF Fairford (PA)PA WireGeorge Lithgow4 minutes agoNews Briefings

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Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband has summoned the Iranian ambassador to make clear “Britain will not tolerate threats on our soil” after a suspected terror plot near RAF Fairford.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said there are “strong indications” Iran played a part in the incident.

Mr Miliband also announced that two Iranian nationals have been designated for their role in hostile activity on behalf of the Iranian regime.

Ruhollah Bazghandi, head of counterespionage operations within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and Shahram Ali Reza Tamarzadeh Jakki, a facilitator of the Zindashti criminal network, are now subject to an immediate asset freeze, travel ban and director disqualification, he said.

Police at a road block near RAF Fairford (PA)PA WireThe Prime Minister indicated Iran could yet be hit with further sanctions.

Mr Miliband said in a statement on Monday: “Iran’s continued attempts to undermine the security of the United Kingdom and international partners through its criminal networks, proxy groups and state-backed malign activity is unacceptable.

“As we have repeatedly made clear to Iran, Britain will not tolerate threats on our soil. Today I instructed my department to summon the ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Kingdom to reiterate this message in its entirety.

“We are also announcing the designation of two Iranian nationals for their role in facilitating or engaging in hostile activity on behalf of the Iranian regime, with the clear intent of threatening, planning or conducting attacks overseas.

“This Government will never waver in our commitment to tacking Iran’s unacceptable actions and protecting our national security. We have already designated the IRGC under our new state threats powers, and imposed major sanctions on those responsible for Iran’s malign activity.”

Andy Burnham told MPs Iran could be hit with further sanctions (House of Commons/UK Parliament)PA WireMr Burnham indicated Iran could be hit with further sanctions over its role in the RAF Fairford incident.

He told MPs on Monday: “I can confirm our assessment that it is highly likely to have been co-ordinated in Iran, almost certainly directed by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard.

“We will not tolerate these threats on our soil.

“We will crack down on Iran’s use of criminal networks, using our full range of powers to target them and their funding streams, and we will bring further sanctions to restrict the capacity of Iran and the IRGC to do us harm.”

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Support for the IRGC was banned in July by then prime minister Sir Keir Starmer.

The Fairford incident took place against the backdrop of ongoing war between the US and Iran.

The base was being used by US bombers, which were removed after the suspected terror plot drama, although it remains unclear precisely why the US made the move.