Two men have been charged under the National Security Act 2023 following a counter-terrorism investigation into suspicious activity near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire. Police say they believe the foreign intelligence service relevant to one of the charges is linked to Iran.
Counter Terrorism Policing announced the charges on Tuesday 27 October 2026. Both men, aged 24 and from the Borough of Westminster in London, were due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court that day.
What charges have been brought?
Mohmed Ahmad Abdulkarim has been charged under Section 3 of the National Security Act 2023, concerning alleged assistance to a foreign intelligence service. Police say they believe the country involved is Iran. The police corrected his name after their initial announcement; Mohmed Ahmad Abdulkarim is the spelling in their updated statement.
Nouman Essghir has been charged under Section 4 of the same Act, concerning alleged activity involving a prohibited place for a purpose prejudicial to the safety or interests of the United Kingdom. Police said the suspected activity underlying his charge took place on 22 August 2026.
How did the RAF Fairford investigation begin?
The investigation followed an incident near RAF Fairford on 27 September, when five men were arrested after reports of suspicious vehicles. Essghir was initially arrested at the scene and re-arrested on 20 October. Detectives subsequently interviewed another man under caution, leading to the charge against Abdulkarim.
RAF Fairford is a Gloucestershire airbase used by United States forces, including long-range bombers. Its role has attracted particular scrutiny amid tensions involving Iran, but the charges do not establish that an attack on the base took place.
What have police said about Iran?
Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, head of UK Counter Terrorism Policing, said investigators believe Iran is the foreign state connected to the alleged intelligence-assistance offence. He also said police have seen other recent incidents they believe were directed by the Iranian state. These are police assessments, not findings made by a court.
Investigation remains ongoing
Police said five other men arrested in connection with the investigation remain on bail. A 25-year-old dual UK-Iranian national re-arrested on 20 October was released without charge in relation to that arrest, but remains on police bail following an earlier arrest on 1 October.
The Crown Prosecution Service said the complex investigation is continuing. Both defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. As criminal proceedings are active, no conclusions should be drawn about their guilt or the ultimate responsibility for the alleged activity.
Sources
Sources: Counter Terrorism Policing, 27 October 2026; Reuters, 27 October 2026; Associated Press, 27 October 2026.