Two British nationals have appeared in court in London in connection with an alleged Iran-linked plot targeting RAF Fairford, a US-operated airbase in Gloucestershire. Mohmed Abdulkarim, 24, faces a charge of assisting a foreign intelligence service, which police believe to be Iran. Nouman Essghir, also 24, is charged with entering a prohibited place for a purpose prejudicial to the UK.

The charges stem from a major incident on September 27, when three suspicious vans were spotted near the airbase, leading to the evacuation of dozens of residents and the establishment of a large cordon. Although no explosives were found, police seized a quantity of petrol from the vans, which bore the logo "Fuel2You."

During a hearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, Essghir's charge relates to an alleged reconnaissance mission on August 22, approximately a month before the incident at the airbase. Abdulkarim is accused of assisting in the plot. Both men are charged under the National Security Act 2023.

Essghir has been remanded in custody, while Abdulkarim was granted bail under strict conditions, including the surrender of his passport. The case is scheduled to be heard next at the Old Bailey on November 20.

Essghir was initially arrested near the base on September 27 along with four other men on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act and later terrorism preparation. All five were released on police bail the following day. However, Essghir was re-arrested on October 20.

Abdulkarim was interviewed by detectives following re-arrests in October. In total, eight men have been arrested as part of the ongoing counter-terror police investigation. A 25-year-old UK-Iranian national, also re-arrested in October on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence service, has since been released without charge but remains on police bail.

Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor acknowledged that the initial release of five men on bail had raised public questions. He emphasized that counter-terror police tactics can sometimes appear unconventional but are always based on sound reasoning and operational necessities.

The investigation continues, with authorities working to understand the full scope and nature of the alleged plot and the involvement of foreign intelligence services.