Two Men Charged Over RAF Fairford Incident Allegedly Linked to Iran — What Prosecutors Say Happened

Two men have been charged under Britain’s National Security Act 2023 after a security incident at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, with prosecutors alleging that one of them assisted a foreign intelligence service that counter-terrorism police believe is Iran’s. Mohmed Ahmad Abdulkarim and Nouman Essghir, both 24 and from Westminster, London, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 27 October 2026.

The charges follow a counter-terrorism investigation into suspicious activity near the base in the early hours of Sunday, 27 September 2026. Police say five men were arrested near RAF Fairford that night, dozens of nearby residents were evacuated, and no explosives were found in the vans involved, although petrol was seized. The case is at an early stage, the allegations are unproven, and both men are entitled to a fair trial.

RAF Fairford Two Men Charged — Quick Reference Summary

What Westminster Magistrates’ Court Was Told About the Vans

Prosecutor Louise Gray told the court that Abdulkarim arranged for five men to take three vans to RAF Fairford at the behest of a man known only as “Ali”, who police believe was acting on behalf of Iran and is thought to be abroad. The court heard that the group bought around £300 worth of petrol, stored in drums, and that the vans carried metal oil drums, hard plastic water butts and internet-enabled dashcams.

According to the prosecution account, the men were told there was a bomb in one of the vans and told to run, after which one of them called 999. Police arrived shortly afterwards and arrested five men. No explosive material was found. The prosecution alleges that Abdulkarim bought five vans in total, including the three driven to RAF Fairford, as well as mobile phones, and collected cash for Ali, receiving payments totalling around £70,000. Those are allegations made in court, not findings of guilt.

The August Visit at the Centre of the Second Charge

Essghir’s charge does not relate to the September night itself. Prosecutors say he visited RAF Fairford on Saturday, 22 August 2026, filmed around the facility while on a video call with Ali, and returned about a month later as part of the van convoy. Essghir was first arrested at the scene on 27 September and was re-arrested on Tuesday, 20 October 2026.

The court also heard that Ali has allegedly been linked to a drone incident at the Israeli embassy earlier in 2026, involving propaganda videos suggesting a chemical-weapon drone attack. That link, like the wider Iran allegation, is part of the prosecution case and has not been tested at trial. Readers following the wider regional picture can also read the site’s earlier report on the Israel election 2026 deadlock, which sets out a separate, unrelated political contest in the region.

Why RAF Fairford Matters in the US-Iran Confrontation

RAF Fairford, in south-west England, is used by the United States Air Force and has been used by US bombers to carry out strikes on Iran during this year’s war between the United States and Iran. US bombers were withdrawn from the facility on security grounds shortly after the September arrests, according to reporting of the case.

Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, head of National Counter Terrorism Policing, said police believe the foreign intelligence service involved was Iran’s, and that officers had seen a range of recent incidents believed to have been directed by the Iranian state. Prime Minister Andy Burnham said earlier in October that the activity at Fairford was likely to have been coordinated in Iran, a claim Tehran’s ambassador to Britain has denied. The competing claims are central to the case, and the court will test the evidence rather than the political argument around it.

The wider security context is also reflected in domestic politics this week, with the Chancellor’s first Budget dominating Westminster attention; the site’s earlier preview covers what to expect from the UK Budget 2026. That Budget debate does not change the legal position in the Fairford case, in which reporting must avoid anything that could prejudice proceedings.

What Happens Next, and Who Else Remains on Bail

Abdulkarim was granted bail with conditions including residence and the surrender of his passport, while Essghir was remanded in custody. Both men are due to appear at the Old Bailey on Friday, 20 November 2026. Frank Ferguson, chief crown prosecutor at the Crown Prosecution Service’s Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, said prosecutors would keep working closely with partners as the complex investigation continues.

Five other men arrested during the investigation remain on police bail. A 25-year-old dual British-Iranian national, re-arrested on 20 October on suspicion of assisting Iran’s intelligence service, has been released without charge in relation to that allegation but remains on police bail after an earlier arrest on 1 October on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts. Police have said some circumstances of the incident remain unclear and the investigation is continuing.

External sources for the court account include Reuters reporting on the charges and Al Jazeera’s account of the court hearing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who has been charged over RAF Fairford?

Mohmed Ahmad Abdulkarim, 24, and Nouman Essghir, 24, both from Westminster, London, have been charged under the National Security Act 2023.

What is Abdulkarim accused of?

Prosecutors allege he engaged in conduct likely to materially assist a foreign intelligence service, which police believe is Iran’s, between 31 August and 28 September 2026.

What is Essghir accused of?

He is charged with entering a prohibited place for a purpose prejudicial to the UK, relating to an alleged visit to RAF Fairford on 22 August 2026.

Were explosives found in the vans?

No. Police found petrol, metal oil drums, water butts and dashcams, but no explosive material, according to court reporting.

When is the next court date?

Both men are due to appear at the Old Bailey on Friday, 20 November 2026. Abdulkarim is on bail; Essghir is remanded in custody.