The Prime Minister’s recent statement about “strong indications” that Iran played a part in the suspected terrorist plot near RAF Fairford is deeply concerning and deserves our close attention.

The arrest in London of a dual British-Iranian national and two others in connection with the investigation heightens these concerns. Counter-terrorism police arrested the 25-year-old man in Westminster on suspicion of preparation of terrorist acts under the Terrorism Act 2006.

While the police investigation is ongoing, the wider threat posed by Iranian state-linked activities and actors in Britain and Europe must not be ignored.

Earlier this year, the UK joined 23 other governments in condemning what they described as “lethal plotting and other malign actions” by the IRGC Intelligence Organisation, the Quds Force and Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS) in Europe, North America and Australia.

Our security services and international partners have repeatedly warned about plots involving Iran’s MOIS and the IRGC acting directly or through proxies or in collaboration with criminal networks.

It is time to reassess our policy towards Iran.

President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), Maryam Rajavi, described the latest incident as evidence that Tehran is exploiting the policy of appeasement to expand its terrorist networks across Europe through its embassies and other diplomatic missions.

She urged the European countries to close Tehran’s embassies, and unofficial missions, and expel MOIS operatives, IRGC personnel and those acting on their behalf.

The Iranian opposition leader also reiterated that the answer does not lie in foreign military intervention but in political change brought about by the Iranian people themselves and their organised resistance.

The security challenge and direct threats posed by the regime are real. They require a realignment of the UK’s policy towards Iran, one that builds on the Government’s recent decision to designate the IRGC, acknowledges the persistent hostile activity linked to Iran’s security services, and stands with the Iranian people and their organised resistance in their endeavour to establish a democratic republic.

British Committee for Iran Freedom

3 October 2026