WASHINGTON — The United States and 28 other governments backed Britain’s assessment Monday that Iran was involved in the Sept. 27 incident at RAF Fairford and pledged joint action against threats on their territories.
The State Department released the statement on Oct. 12. Its signatories include the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, France, Germany and New Zealand.
The governments said Britain had concluded that the incident demonstrated the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ willingness to carry out hostile operations abroad through covert networks and proxies.
Iran has denied involvement, the Associated Press reported. The joint statement expresses support for Britain’s attribution but does not provide evidence independently establishing who directed the incident.
The signatories condemned what they described as Iranian involvement in plots to kill, arson, sabotage, cyberattacks and other operations against their countries and partners.
They also cited recent attacks across Europe targeting Jewish communities, Iranian journalists and U.S. interests. Responsibility for those attacks was claimed by Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya, or HAYI, according to the statement.
“Anyone who conducts hostile activities on behalf of Iran, or any other state, should know that we will take action to identify, investigate, disrupt, and prosecute these acts,”
The statement followed Britain’s announcement Monday of sanctions against two Iranian nationals and its decision to summon Iran’s ambassador.
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office identified the two men as Ruhollah Bazghandi, the IRGC’s head of counterespionage operations, and Shahram Ali Reza Tamarzadeh Jakki. British officials described Jakki as a facilitator for the Zindashti criminal network.
Both face asset freezes, travel bans and disqualification from company directorships.
In his Commons statement, Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the Fairford incident was highly likely to have been coordinated in Iran and almost certainly directed by the IRGC.
“We will not tolerate these threats on our soil,” Burnham said.
RAF Fairford has been used by American bombers to strike Iran, AP reported. Seven men arrested in the investigation have been released on bail, and none has been charged.
