London: British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said on Monday that a suspected plot targeting RAF Fairford was highly likely to have been coordinated in Iran and almost certainly directed by its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Iran denied involvement.

Addressing Parliament, Burnham said Britain would act against alleged Iranian use of criminal networks and their funding, while announcing sanctions against two Iranian men.

Iran’s ambassador to Britain, Seyed Ali Mousavi, rejected the allegations during a meeting with Foreign Office Minister Stephen Doughty.

Mousavi urged Britain to present supporting evidence and avoid taking positions without it. He also reiterated Tehran’s willingness to cooperate through the relevant institutions of both countries in examining the incident.

The investigation began after five British men were arrested near the Gloucestershire airbase on September 27 on suspicion of terrorism and explosives offences. Two other men were subsequently arrested.

All seven were released on bail, and no charges had been brought. Police said petrol was found in vehicles linked to the initial suspects, but no explosives.

RAF Fairford had been used by US bombers to carry out strikes on Iran. US officials told Reuters that the suspected plot involved a planned drone attack. President Donald Trump said an Iran-linked threat prompted the bombers’ withdrawal.

British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said Iran’s ambassador had been summoned. Britain imposed sanctions on Ruhollah Bazghandi, described by British authorities as an IRGC counterespionage official, and Shahram Ali Reza Tamarzadeh Jakki, whom they linked to a criminal network.