Two British men charged with helping Iran over Fairford airbase incident

British Nationals Face Security Charges Linked to RAF Fairford Investigation

Earthguardiansonline.com – Two men from London have been charged under the United Kingdom’s National Security Act following an investigation connected to RAF Fairford, a military airbase in southwest England that had recently hosted US B-1 bombers involved in strikes on Iran.

Prosecutors announced the charges on Tuesday after a series of arrests and heightened security concerns around the base. Police believe one of the accused was acting in a way that could have aided Iran, while Iranian authorities have rejected accusations that Tehran was involved in the alleged activity.

Charges Filed Against Two London Men

Mohmed Abdulkarim, 24, has been charged with conduct likely to provide material assistance to a foreign intelligence service. Nouman Essghir, also 24, faces one charge of entering a prohibited location for a purpose considered harmful to the interests of the United Kingdom. The alleged prohibited-place offense is dated August 22.

Both men live in London and were due to appear before Westminster Magistrates’ Court later Tuesday. Five other men detained during the wider investigation have not been charged and remain on police bail.

The case follows the arrest of five men outside RAF Fairford during the early hours of September 27. The arrests came at a sensitive time for the base, which had been used by American B-1 bombers during operations involving Iran.

Police Point to Iran

Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, who leads national counterterrorism policing in the UK, said investigators believed Abdulkarim had been assisting Iran. He described the case within a broader security picture involving suspected activity attributed to the Iranian state.

“We have seen a range of incidents in recent months that we believe have been directed by the Iranian state, and as the director general of Mi5 (the UK’s domestic security service) said just the other week, we are working together to intervene, identify and respond to that threat,” Taylor added.

Taylor also appealed to members of the public to share concerns with authorities, emphasizing that reports from the public can support investigations and preventative action.

“The public can help us with this, and as always, I would urge them to report anything that they’re worried about – those reports can and do make a difference.”

Britain’s legal framework for national-security cases allows authorities to pursue allegations involving assistance to foreign intelligence services, as well as conduct at protected locations that may threaten national interests. The charges against Abdulkarim and Essghir remain allegations that will be tested through the court process.

Security Concerns at a Key Air Base

RAF Fairford has an important role in supporting visiting US aircraft and military operations. Its connection to long-range B-1 bombers made the base a focal point of concern after the September arrests.

Shortly after five suspects were detained, the United States withdrew its long-range bombers from Fairford for security reasons. A person familiar with the matter said the relocation followed an unspecified threat. The aircraft had been moved only days after the original arrests.

President Donald Trump later indicated that the decision was related to threats against US assets, while arguing that leaving the bombers in place was unnecessary.

“I think we can say that — I mean, they didn’t fly out by accident,” Trump said. “There were some threats, and rather than tempting the enemy, we’ll capture the enemy and beat the enemy. But why should we leave them there? So we moved them around a little bit.”

Vice President JD Vance described the move as a precaution, without disclosing the exact nature of the security concerns. His comments suggested the action was intended to reduce risk amid a possible Iranian threat.

US intelligence had monitored planning by Iranian groups to target American assets at RAF Fairford for weeks before the arrests, sources familiar with the matter said. The allegations underscore how military facilities can become potential targets during periods of international tension, especially when they support overseas operations.

Political Response and Iranian Denial

Earlier in October, Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the suspected plan involving RAF Fairford was “almost certainly directed by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard.” That assessment was firmly denied by Iran.

Trump praised the detention of the men at the time, saying the United States had worked alongside Britain and that those arrested had intended to cause serious harm at the base.

“We had them under view for a long time, and we got them,” Trump said.

The investigation highlights the close cooperation between British and American security agencies when potential threats involve shared military infrastructure. It also brings renewed attention to allegations of overseas state activity on British soil, an issue British counterterrorism officials say remains a significant concern.

For residents near RAF Fairford and other sensitive sites, the case serves as a reminder that security responses can include both visible policing and preventative steps that are not fully disclosed publicly. The removal of aircraft, arrests near the base and ongoing bail conditions reflect a continuing investigation rather than a completed case.

Further details may emerge as Abdulkarim and Essghir appear in court and the legal proceedings advance.