Three Iran‑Backed Operatives Charged Over Near‑Miss at RAF Fairford

The U.S. Department of Justice announced Wednesday that three men, alleged to be backed by Iran, have been charged with plotting a series of attacks – more than a dozen in total – that targeted locations in the United Kingdom and elsewhere.

Among the alleged schemes was a plot that brought authorities to the runway at RAF Fairford, the British airbase that hosts U.S. aircraft. Prosecutors say a suspicious package was discovered and intercepted before it could reach the runway, averting what they described as a "near miss."

While the identities of the suspects remain under seal, the indictment ties them to a broader network of Iran‑supported operatives who, according to the Justice Department, were coordinating the attacks from abroad.

The charges come amid ongoing cooperation between the United States and the United Kingdom as both nations work to counter foreign interference and protect critical infrastructure.

If proven, the alleged conspiracies would have represented a significant threat to UK air‑defence capabilities and to the safety of personnel stationed at the base.