--- title: "Iran denies role in UK airbase terror plot after five arrests" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/conflict/iran-denies-role-in-uk-airbase-terror-plot-after-five-arrests" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/iran-denies-role-in-uk-airbase-terror-plot-after-five-arrests" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/conflict/iran-denies-role-in-uk-airbase-terror-plot-after-five-arrests.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/iran-denies-role-in-uk-airbase-terror-plot-after-five-arrests" category: "Conflict & Security" area: "United Kingdom" published: "2026-09-28T13:25:34.007Z" source_reported: "2026-09-28T12:57:00.000Z" updated: "2026-09-28T13:25:34.007Z" trust_score: 42 critic_score: 55 hype_score: 41 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-09-28T14:00:18.018744+00:00" --- # Iran denies role in UK airbase terror plot after five arrests *Tehran calls allegations 'Islamophobia' as UK authorities investigate potential links.* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 42 of 100, higher is better. Central claim attributed to Iranian embassy in London; one outlet provided full report. - Craft 55 of 100, higher is better. Reporting is largely based on digests, with limited detail on the incident itself. - Hype 41 of 100, lower is better. Headlines suggest a 'major update' and 'terror plot' without substantial detail in digests. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - Five British citizens were arrested near RAF Fairford, a U.S.-operated air base in England, on suspicion of preparing a terror attack. - Iran's embassy in London has denied any involvement in the suspected plot, calling allegations 'Islamophobia'. - UK authorities are investigating whether Iran was involved in the foiled plot. - The base is used by the U.S. Air Force as part of its operations against Iran. Five British citizens were arrested near a U.S.-operated air base in England on suspicion of preparing a terror attack. UK authorities are investigating whether Iran was involved in the incident. The air base, RAF Fairford, is used by the U.S. Air Force as part of its operations against Iran. ## Iran's denial Iran's embassy in London has denied any involvement in the suspected plot. In a statement to Sky News, reported by DR, the embassy called the allegations 'unfounded and malicious speculations' and labelled them 'Islamophobia'. ## Omissions None of the left-rated digests mention that UK authorities are investigating whether Iran was involved in the foiled plot. None of the right-rated digests mention that Iran's embassy in London called the allegations 'Islamophobia'. ## Who covered it Shares of the 59 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 29% (17) - Centre: 61% (36) - Right: 10% (6) 20 of 79 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-09-28T14:00:18.018744+00:00. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 5 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-09-28T15:00:17.398Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left - The left-rated reports led on Iran's denial of involvement in the suspected plot. DR, which provided a full report, stated that Iran's embassy in London "categorically rejects and condemns on the strongest terms the latest unfounded and malicious speculations" and called the allegations 'Islamophobia'. The report also mentioned the five arrests of British citizens near the base and that the base is used by the U.S. Air Force as part of its operations against Iran. Flamboroughtoday.com's digest also noted Iran's denial and the arrests of five British terror suspects near the U.S. air base. ### Centre - The centre-rated reports focused on Iran's denial of involvement in the suspected plot targeting the U.S.-operated air base in England. Multiple digests, including those from MOR-TV, WCVB, WLWT, WMTW, WPTZ, WVTM, and Washington Top News, stated that Iran's embassy in London denied any involvement. The Times of Israel's digest reported that the Iranian embassy in London "categorically rejects and strongly condemns" speculation about Tehran's involvement in the incident near the UK military airbase. ### Right - The right-rated reports highlighted Iran's denial of involvement in the foiled bomb plot at RAF Fairford. GB News reported that Iran 'categorically rejects' involvement. The Daily Express digest stated that UK authorities are investigating whether Iran was involved in the foiled plot. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - low: 1 - mixed: 4 - high: 19 - unknown: 20 - veryHigh: 35 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [Zeit Online](https://zeit.de/politik/ausland/2026-09/raf-fairford-terrorismus-grossbritannien-festnahme-iran) — Suspected of Terror at the Fairford Base: Iran Denies Participation in Suspected Attack Plan in England - [France24](https://france24.com/en/live-news/20260928-iran-denies-link-to-suspected-bomb-plot-at-uk-airbase-used-by-us) — Iran denies link to suspected bomb plot at UK airbase used by US - [insider.gr](https://insider.gr/eidiseis/426489/iran-arneitai-opoiadipote-emploki-stin-epithesi-enantion-stratiotikis-basis-sti) — Iran Denies Any Involvement in Attack on Military Base in Britain - [OnAlert](https://onalert.gr/kosmos/iran-arneitai-opoiadipote-emploki-se-sxediazomeni-epithesi-enantion-stratiotikis-vasis-tis-raf-sti-vretania/822615) — Iran: Denies Any Involvement in Planned Attack on RAF Military Base - [SINDOnews.com](https://international.sindonews.com/read/1754681/43/iran-bantah-terlibat-dalam-rencana-serangan-ke-pangkalan-udara-inggris-1790600979) — Iran Denies Involvement in Plan to Attack UK Air Base - [BizToc](https://biztoc.com/x/f11568c9b35ba886) — Iran denies involvement in UK air base incident - [Noticias ao Minuto](https://noticiasaominuto.com/mundo/3058399/irao-nega-envolvimento-em-alegado-atentado-terrorista-em-base-militar-britanica) — They Will Deny Involvement in Alleged British Terrorist Attack - [Iefimerida](https://iefimerida.gr/kosmos/iran-arneitai-emploki-toy-stin-apopeira-epithesis-bretania) — Iran Denies Involvement in Attempted Attack on Military Base in Britain - iefimerida.gr - [Firstpost News](https://firstpost.com/world/iranophobia-propaganda-iran-denies-link-to-uk-airbase-bomb-scare-after-five-arrests-14048885.html) — ‘Iranophobia propaganda’: Iran denies link to UK airbase bomb scare after five arrests - [Business Daily](https://businessdaily.gr/diethni/234773_i-teherani-diapseydei-emploki-se-shedio-epithesis-kata-bretanikis-stratiotikis-basis) — Iran Denies Involvement in Plan to Attack British Base - [bd.nl](https://bd.nl/buitenland/iran-ontkent-betrokkenheid-bij-incident-britse-vliegbasis-ongegronde-en-kwaadaardige-speculaties~a86eb37e) — Iran Denies Involvement in British Air Base Incident: ‘Unfounded and Malicious Speculation’ - [destentor.nl](https://destentor.nl/buitenland/iran-ontkent-betrokkenheid-bij-incident-britse-vliegbasis-ongegronde-en-kwaadaardige-speculaties~a86eb37e) — Iran Denies Involvement in British Air Base Incident: ‘Unfounded and Malicious Speculation’ - [Algemeen Dagblad](https://ad.nl/buitenland/iran-ontkent-betrokkenheid-bij-incident-bij-britse-vliegbasis-ongegronde-en-kwaadaardige-speculaties~a86eb37e) — Iran Denies Involvement in Incident at British Air Base: ‘Unfounded and Malicious Speculation’ - [WTVB](https://wtvbam.com/2026/09/28/iran-rejects-suggestion-it-is-linked-to-uk-airbase-arrests) — Iran rejects suggestion it is linked to UK airbase arrests - [Capital.gr](https://capital.gr/diethni/4020059/to-iran-aporriptei-tis-uponoies-oti-sundeetai-me-tis-sullipseis-se-bretaniki-aeroporiki-basi) — Iran Denies Links to Arrests at British Air Base - [NewsBomb](https://newsbomb.gr/kosmos/story/1766482/vretania-i-dynamis-kounts-tou-iran-piso-apo-tous-5-tromokrates-stin-aeroporiki-vasi) — Britain: Iran's Quds Force Behind the 5 Terrorists at the Air Base? - [MOR-TV](https://mor-tv.com/article/iran-denies-involvement-us-base-plot-england/73923849) — Iran denies involvement in suspected plot targeting US-operated air base in England - [WCVB](https://wcvb.com/article/iran-denies-involvement-us-base-plot-england/73923849) — Iran denies involvement in suspected plot targeting US-operated air base in England - [WLWT](https://wlwt.com/article/iran-denies-involvement-us-base-plot-england/73923849) — Iran denies involvement in suspected plot targeting US-operated air base in England - [WMTW](https://wmtw.com/article/iran-denies-involvement-us-base-plot-england/73923849) — Iran denies involvement in suspected plot targeting US-operated air base in England - [WPTZ](https://mynbc5.com/article/iran-denies-involvement-us-base-plot-england/73923849) — Iran denies involvement in suspected plot targeting US-operated air base in England - [WVTM](https://wvtm13.com/article/iran-denies-involvement-us-base-plot-england/73923849) — Iran denies involvement in suspected plot targeting US-operated air base in England - [KCRA 3](https://kcra.com/article/iran-denies-involvement-us-base-plot-england/73923849) — UK holds 5 British terror suspects after arrests near US air base as Iran denies involvement - [WMUR](https://wmur.com/article/iran-denies-involvement-us-base-plot-england/73923849) — Iran denies involvement in suspected plot targeting US-operated air base in England - [WLKY](https://wlky.com/article/iran-denies-involvement-us-base-plot-england/73923849) — UK holds 5 British terror suspects after arrests near US air base as Iran denies involvement - [Koco News5](https://koco.com/article/iran-denies-involvement-us-base-plot-england/73923849) — UK holds 5 British terror suspects after arrests near US air base as Iran denies involvement - [WESH](https://wesh.com/article/iran-denies-involvement-us-base-plot-england/73923849) — UK holds 5 British terror suspects after arrests near US air base as Iran denies involvement - [WYFF](https://wyff4.com/article/iran-denies-involvement-us-base-plot-england/73923849) — Iran denies involvement in suspected plot targeting US-operated air base in England - [WDSU](https://wdsu.com/article/iran-denies-involvement-us-base-plot-england/73923849) — UK holds 5 British terror suspects after arrests near US air base as Iran denies involvement - [WTAE](https://wtae.com/article/iran-denies-involvement-us-base-plot-england/73923849) — UK holds 5 British terror suspects after arrests near US air base as Iran denies involvement - [KCCI](https://kcci.com/article/iran-denies-involvement-us-base-plot-england/73923849) — UK holds 5 British terror suspects after arrests near US air base as Iran denies involvement - [WISN](https://wisn.com/article/iran-denies-involvement-us-base-plot-england/73923849) — UK holds 5 British terror suspects after arrests near US air base as Iran denies involvement - [KETV](https://ketv.com/article/iran-denies-involvement-us-base-plot-england/73923849) — UK holds 5 British terror suspects after arrests near US air base as Iran denies involvement - [WBAL-TV](https://wbaltv.com/article/iran-denies-involvement-us-base-plot-england/73923849) — Iran denies involvement in suspected plot targeting US-operated air base in England - [KOAT](https://koat.com/article/iran-denies-involvement-us-base-plot-england/73923849) — UK holds 5 British terror suspects after arrests near US air base as Iran denies involvement - [WAPT](https://wapt.com/article/iran-denies-involvement-us-base-plot-england/73923849) — Iran denies involvement in suspected plot targeting US-operated air base in England - [WPBF](https://wpbf.com/article/iran-denies-involvement-us-base-plot-england/73923849) — Iran denies involvement in suspected plot targeting US-operated air base in England - [WGAL](https://wgal.com/article/iran-denies-involvement-us-base-plot-england/73923849) — UK holds 5 British terror suspects after arrests near US air base as Iran denies involvement - [WXII](https://wxii12.com/article/iran-denies-involvement-us-base-plot-england/73923849) — UK holds 5 British terror suspects after arrests near US air base as Iran denies involvement - [KSBW](https://ksbw.com/article/iran-denies-involvement-us-base-plot-england/73923849) — UK holds 5 British terror suspects after arrests near US air base as Iran denies involvement - [KHBS](https://4029tv.com/article/iran-denies-involvement-us-base-plot-england/73923849) — UK holds 5 British terror suspects after arrests near US air base as Iran denies involvement - [flamboroughtoday.com](https://flamboroughtoday.com/world-news/uk-holds-5-british-terror-suspects-after-arrests-near-us-air-base-as-iran-denies-involvement-12829191) — UK holds 5 British terror suspects after arrests near US air base as Iran denies involvement - [Rocky Mountain Outlook](https://rmoutlook.com/world-news/uk-holds-5-british-terror-suspects-after-arrests-near-us-air-base-as-iran-denies-involvement-12829191) — UK holds 5 British terror suspects after arrests near US air base as Iran denies involvement - [SooToday.com](https://sootoday.com/world-news/uk-holds-5-british-terror-suspects-after-arrests-near-us-air-base-as-iran-denies-involvement-12829191) — UK holds 5 British terror suspects after arrests near US air base as Iran denies involvement - [Orillia Matters](https://orilliamatters.com/world-news/uk-holds-5-british-terror-suspects-after-arrests-near-us-air-base-as-iran-denies-involvement-12829191) — UK holds 5 British terror suspects after arrests near US air base as Iran denies involvement - [Bowen Island Undercurrent](https://bowenislandundercurrent.com/world-news/uk-holds-5-british-terror-suspects-after-arrests-near-us-air-base-as-iran-denies-involvement-12829195) — UK holds 5 British terror suspects after arrests near US air base as Iran denies involvement - [Sudbury](https://sudbury.com/world-news/uk-holds-5-british-terror-suspects-after-arrests-near-us-air-base-as-iran-denies-involvement-12829191) — UK holds 5 British terror suspects after arrests near US air base as Iran denies involvement - [Bay Today](https://baytoday.ca/world-news/uk-holds-5-british-terror-suspects-after-arrests-near-us-air-base-as-iran-denies-involvement-12829191) — UK holds 5 British terror suspects after arrests near US air base as Iran denies involvement - [ElliotLakeToday.com](https://elliotlaketoday.com/world-news/uk-holds-5-british-terror-suspects-after-arrests-near-us-air-base-as-iran-denies-involvement-12829191) — UK holds 5 British terror suspects after arrests near US air base as Iran denies involvement - [Timmins Today](https://timminstoday.com/world-news/uk-holds-5-british-terror-suspects-after-arrests-near-us-air-base-as-iran-denies-involvement-12829191) — UK holds 5 British terror suspects after arrests near US air base as Iran denies involvement - [The Daily Item](https://dailyitem.com/wire/uk-holds-5-british-terror-suspects-after-arrests-near-us-air-base-as-iran-denies/article_9d1195b3-6d7d-5e97-9dcf-4158cf66563b.html) — UK holds 5 British terror suspects after arrests near US air base as Iran denies involvement - [DR](https://dr.dk/nyheder/seneste/iran-afviser-vaere-indblandet-i-terrorplaner-mod-britisk-militaerbase) — Iran Denies Involvement in Terror Plot Against British Military Base - [The Times of Israel](https://timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/iran-denies-involvement-in-suspected-terror-plot-at-uk-airbase) — Iran denies involvement in suspected terror plot at UK airbase - [Naftemporiki](https://naftemporiki.gr/kosmos/2167637/to-iran-aporriptei-opoiadipote-dikia-toy-emploki-sto-peristatiko-sti-vasi-tis-raf) — Iran Denies Any Involvement in the Incident at the RAF Base - [Internewscast](https://internewscast.com/news/five-british-men-arrested-over-alleged-iran-linked-terror-plot-targeting-raf-base) — Five British Men Arrested Over Alleged Iran-Linked Terror Plot Targeting RAF Base - [El Comercio](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/europa/policia-britanica-investiga-un-posible-vinculo-de-iran-en-plan-de-ataque-a-base-militar-usada-por-estados-unidos-fairford-noticia) — British Police Investigate Possible Iran Link in U.S.-Used Military Base Attack Plan · Global Voices - [El Universo](https://eluniverso.com/noticias/internacional/la-policia-britanica-investiga-un-posible-vinculo-de-iran-en-el-plan-de-ataque-a-una-base-militar-nota) — British Police Investigate a Possible Link of Iran in the Attack Plan to a Military Base - [KOHA.net](https://koha.net/bote/irani-hedh-poshte-pretendimet-per-lidhje-me-te-arrestuarit-ne-bazen-ajrore-ne-britani) — Iran Rejects Claims of Links to Detainees at UK Air Base - [ANSA](https://ansa.it/sito/notizie/topnews/2026/09/28/attacco-contro-base-della-raf-teheran-nega-ogni-coinvolgimento_2f1078e7-f79a-4d2f-8440-79bf1b40a450.html) — Raf's Attack Against Base, Tehran Denies Any Involvement - [Washington Top News](https://wtop.com/news/2026/09/iran-denies-involvement-in-suspected-plot-targeting-a-us-operated-air-base-in-england) — Iran denies involvement in suspected plot targeting a US-operated air base in England – WTOP News - [GB News](https://gbnews.com/news/raf-fairford-iran-rejects-involvement-bomb-plot) — Iran 'categorically rejects' involvement in foiled RAF Fairford bomb plot - [Daily Express](https://express.co.uk/news/uk/2252502/raf-fairford-iran-latest-update) — Iran breaks silence on RAF Fairford 'terror bomb plot' in major update - [Daily Maverick](https://dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-09-28-uk-counter-terror-police-question-five-men-held-at-airbase-used-by-us-to-attack-iran) — UK counter-terror police question five men held at airbase used by US to attack Iran - [GMA Filipino News](https://gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/world/1004026/iran-link-examined-as-uk-police-quiz-five-men-held-at-airbase-used-by-us/story) — Iran link examined as UK police quiz five men held at airbase used by US - [El Tiempo](https://eltiempo.com/mundo/europa/iran-tuvo-que-ver-en-el-intento-de-atentado-a-una-base-militar-en-el-reino-unido-policia-investiga-si-existe-algun-vinculo-3589416) — Did Iran Have to Do with the Attempted Terrorist Attack on a Military Base in the United Kingdom? Police Investigate if There Is Any Link - [nicematin.com](https://nicematin.com/societe/terrorisme/ils-voulaient-faire-de-gros-degats-ce-que-l-on-sait-sur-un-projet-d-attaque-contre-une-base-militaire-en-angleterre-10730721) — "They Wanted to Do Big Damage": What We Know About the Plan to Attack a Military Base in England - [franceinfo.fr](https://franceinfo.fr/monde/royaume-uni/ce-que-l-on-sait-de-l-enquete-sur-une-attaque-terroriste-au-royaume-uni-apres-l-arrestation-de-cinq-suspects-pres-d-une-base-militaire_8212898.html) — What We Know About the Investigation Into a Terrorist Attack in the United Kingdom Following the Arrest of Five Suspects Near a Military Base - [القدس العربي](https://alquds.co.uk/%D8%A8%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%B7%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%8A%D8%A7-%D8%AA%D8%AD%D9%82%D9%82-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%B5%D9%84%D8%A9-%D9%85%D8%AD%D8%AA%D9%85%D9%84%D8%A9-%D9%84%D8%B7%D9%87%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A8%D8%AA%D9%87) — Britain Is Investigating a Possible Link Between Tehran and a Threat Near a Base Used by the US to Attack Iran. - [Pakistan Live News](https://pakistanlivenews.com/uk-police-question-five-men-held-at-airbase-used-by-us-to-attack-iran) — UK Police Question Five Men Held At Airbase Used By US To Attack Iran - [Gulf Times](https://gulf-times.com/article/734336/region/iran-denies-involvement-in-uk-airbase-bomb-scare) — Iran denies involvement in UK airbase bomb scare - [CNN Brasil](https://cnnbrasil.com.br/internacional/reino-unido-apura-se-ira-tem-ligacao-com-presos-em-base-militar-dos-eua) — United Kingdom Investigates Whether Iran Has Links to U.S. Military Base Prisoners - [The Washington Post](https://washingtonpost.com/world/2026/09/28/uk-fairford-us-air-base-arrests-investigation/55202976-bb14-11f1-81fc-9b76f8343b6c_story.html) — UK holds 5 British terror suspects after arrests near US air base as Iran denies involvement - [Associated Press News](https://apnews.com/article/uk-fairford-us-air-base-arrests-investigation-4b6fb8b4636c0c360bd7d3d2c44e8075) — UK holds 5 British terror suspects after arrests near US air base as Iran denies involvement - [WPLG](https://local10.com/news/world/2026/09/28/iran-denies-involvement-in-suspected-plot-targeting-a-us-operated-air-base-in-england) — UK holds 5 British terror suspects after arrests near US air base as Iran denies involvement - [WSBT](https://wsbt.com/news/nation-world/what-we-know-about-5-british-nationals-suspected-in-terrorist-plot-near-us-airbase-england-raf-fairford-suspicious-vehicles-metropolitan-police-counter-terrorism-motive-investigation-president-donald-trump-iran-war) — What we know about 5 British nationals suspected in terrorist plot near US airbase - [Al-Monitor](https://al-monitor.com/originals/2026/09/iran-link-examined-uk-police-quiz-five-men-held-airbase-used-us) — Iran link examined as UK police quiz five men held at airbase used by US - [ksfr.org](https://ksfr.org/npr-news/2026-09-28/u-k-holds-5-british-suspects-after-arrests-near-u-s-air-base-as-iran-denies-role) — U.K. holds 5 British suspects after arrests near U.S. air base as Iran denies role - [24ur.com](https://24ur.com/novice/tujina/ob-ameriski-letalski-bazi-razglasili-izredne-razmere-domacini-ne-smejo-domov.html) — Is Iran Connected to the Planning of the Terrorist Attack on the Military Air Base? - [Reuters](https://reuters.com/world/middle-east/iran-rejects-suggestion-it-is-linked-uk-airbase-arrests-2026-09-28) — Iran rejects suggestion it is linked to UK airbase arrests ## Questions **What happened near the air base in England?** Five British citizens were arrested near a U.S.-operated air base in England on suspicion of preparing a terror attack. UK authorities are investigating the incident. **What is Iran's response to the allegations?** Iran's embassy in London has denied any involvement in the suspected plot. The embassy called the allegations 'unfounded and malicious speculations' and labelled them 'Islamophobia'. **Which air base was targeted?** The suspected plot targeted RAF Fairford, an air base in England that is used by the U.S. Air Force as part of its operations against Iran. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/conflict/iran-denies-role-in-uk-airbase-terror-plot-after-five-arrests. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "Iran denies role in UK airbase terror plot after five arrests", https://mediabias.news/conflict/iran-denies-role-in-uk-airbase-terror-plot-after-five-arrests