UK Intelligence Chief: Iran Expanding Targeting to Military Sites
WHO:
ABC News - Ken McCallum, head of MI5, the U.K.’s domestic security service
ABC News - Prime Minister Andy Burnham
ABC News - Iranian Revolutionary Guard
WHAT:
ABC News - Ken McCallum stated that the suspected plot to attack the U.S.-run military air base in the U.K. is “not unique” and that there have been other similar incidents globally.
ABC News - McCallum described a “major shift” in Iranian ambitions to target military sites, indicating a focus on “harder targets” this year.
ABC News - McCallum noted that MI5's work countering state threats has quadrupled in the past decade, specifically mentioning threats from Russia, Iran, and China.
ABC News - Iran is attempting to target military sites in the U.K.
ABC News - A suspected plot to attack a U.S.-run military air base in the U.K. occurred in September.
ABC News - The incident at RAF Fairford involved the discovery of gasoline in three vans, but no explosives were found.
ABC News - Seven men in their 20s have been arrested and released on bail under investigation related to the plot.
ABC News - McCallum stated that MI5's work countering state threats has quadrupled in the past decade.
WHERE:
ABC News - The U.K., specifically mentioning RAF Fairford in western England.
WHEN:
ABC News - The suspected plot against the U.S.-run military air base occurred in September.
ABC News - Residents were evacuated from their homes near the base on September 27.
WHY:
ABC News - McCallum emphasized that the U.K. is facing a “new era of national security” comparable to the turning point of the 9/11 attacks.
ABC News - Iran is seeking to intensify attacks beyond traditional targets, including military sites.
ABC News - McCallum indicated that the apparent plot was “almost certainly” directed by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard.
HOW:
ABC News - McCallum mentioned that terror plotters have utilized artificial intelligence for reconnaissance and attacks, including the use of AI-enabled drones.
ABC News - The suspected plot involved the use of gasoline as an accelerant in vehicles.
ABC News - McCallum mentioned that terror plotters have utilized artificial intelligence for reconnaissance and attacks.
(UPDATED October 13, 2026 19:07 UTC)
Ken McCallum from MI5 has revealed that a suspected plot to attack a U.S.-run military air base in the U.K. is part of a troubling trend, as similar incidents have occurred globally. He highlighted a significant shift in Iranian ambitions, with a new focus on targeting military sites and noted that MI5's efforts to counter state threats have quadrupled over the past decade, particularly against Russia, Iran, and China. McCallum also pointed out that terror plotters are increasingly using artificial intelligence for reconnaissance and attacks, including the deployment of AI-enabled drones, marking a new era of national security for the U.K.
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(UPDATED October 13, 2026 17:09 UTC)
Iran is reportedly attempting to target military sites in the U.K., with a suspected plot against a U.S.-run military air base at RAF Fairford coming to light after the discovery of gasoline in three vans last month. Seven men in their 20s have been arrested and released on bail as part of the investigation, which MI5 head Ken McCallum stated is indicative of a significant increase in state threat countermeasures over the past decade. McCallum also noted that the apparent plot was "almost certainly" directed by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, highlighting the evolving tactics of terror plotters who are now utilizing artificial intelligence for reconnaissance and attacks.