The head of Britain’s domestic spy agency MI5 said on Tuesday, 13 October, that Iran is trying to strike military sites in the United Kingdom.
Director General Sir Ken McCallum said a suspected plot against RAF Fairford, a US-run air base in western England, was “not unique”. He said other examples had occurred in the UK and around the world.
Residents near the base were evacuated on 27 September. Police later said they found gasoline in three vans at the site but no explosives. Seven men in their 20s have been arrested and released on bail under investigation. Prime Minister Andy Burnham said on Monday that the apparent plot was “almost certainly” directed by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard. Iran has denied involvement.
Sir Ken said MI5 has set up an AI Threat Assessment Centre, and warned that terror plotters have used artificial intelligence for reconnaissance and attacks.
The speech comes as tensions between Iran and Western states continue to affect energy and shipping markets that matter to Sri Lanka.
