Two men charged over alleged Iran-linked operation near RAF Fairford

Two men have appeared in court charged over an alleged operation near RAF Fairford that British counter-terrorism police believe was directed by an individual working for Iranian intelligence. Mohmed Abdulkarim, 24, was charged with assisting a foreign intelligence service. Nouman Essghir, also 24, was charged with entering a prohibited place for a purpose prejudicial to the United Kingdom.

Both are British nationals from London and were brought before Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday. The charges relate to a September incident near the Gloucestershire airbase, where three suspicious vans bearing the logo “Fuel2You” were found close to the facility. The BBC reported that petrol was seized but no explosive materials were discovered.

A major incident was declared, residents were evacuated and a large cordon was established. Prosecutor Louise Gray told the court that five men had travelled to the base in vans after being directed by a person known as Ali. According to the Guardian, one of the men called police after Ali allegedly warned that a bomb had been planted in the vehicles.

The caller reportedly said the group had been told the vans were connected to a new business venture. After reaching the area, they were allegedly instructed to park and leave the vehicles before being told to run because of the claimed bomb. Police then arrested five men, the reports said.

Essghir is accused of visiting RAF Fairford on 22 August and filming around the site during a video call with Ali. The BBC described the earlier visit as an alleged reconnaissance mission. Prosecutors say he later returned with the convoy of vans on 27 September.

Abdulkarim is accused of buying the vans, mobile phones and collecting cash for Ali. The Guardian reported that he is alleged to have bought five vans, including the three taken to Fairford, and to have known Ali for about 10 years. The court also heard an allegation that Ali had been linked to a drone incident at the Israeli embassy.

Counter Terrorism Policing said it believed the foreign intelligence service involved was Iran. Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor said authorities had identified “a range of incidents in recent months” that they believed had been directed by the Iranian state. Iran has previously denied involvement in the Fairford incident.

Abdulkarim was granted bail subject to conditions including surrendering his passport. Essghir was remanded in custody. Their next hearing is scheduled at the Old Bailey for 20 November.

The BBC said eight people had been arrested during the investigation. Five men arrested near the base were initially released on police bail, while a 25-year-old UK-Iranian dual national arrested on suspicion of assisting Iran’s intelligence service was later released without charge and remains on bail. RAF Fairford has been used by the US Air Force for decades, and US bombers were withdrawn from the base after the incident.

Donald Trump said at the time that they had been moved because of threats, without providing details.