Marco Rubio, the U.S. Secretary of State, stated on Saturday, October 17, during a conversation with reporters at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, that Washington agrees with the British government's assessment of the Islamic Republic of Iran's role in the plan to attack the Fervord airbase.
Iran's Attacks on Military Bases
The British government had previously accused the Islamic Republic of Iran of being involved in the plan to attack the Fervord airbase, which is the location of U.S. military aircraft in southwestern Britain. In response to this accusation, Rubio emphasized: "The British government has stated that the Iranians were behind the plan to attack the airbase. We have no real reason to disagree with this assessment and we agree with it." These statements clearly indicate Washington's support for the British government's assessment.
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Continued Tensions and Arrests in Britain
Britain has also warned that the Islamic Republic has expanded its activities on its soil, targeting not only opponents but also military centers and places associated with the Jewish community. The British police have arrested seven individuals in connection with the attack on the Fervord airbase, all of whom have been released on bail, and no formal charges have been filed against them yet. Additionally, Britain has sanctioned two individuals linked to the IRGC and criminal networks and summoned the ambassador of the Islamic Republic.
This attack on the Fervord airbase occurs amid ongoing security tensions in the region. The Islamic Republic of Iran has repeatedly targeted the positions and locations of Iranian Kurdish opposition parties in Iraq, which is considered a serious threat to Iran's national security. Since the start of the war between Iran and the U.S. and Israel on February 28, 2026, over a thousand missiles and drones have been fired by the IRGC and Iraqi armed groups close to Iran towards the Kurdistan region.
Recently, armed clashes between the security forces of the Islamic Republic and armed Baloch groups in the Sistan and Baluchestan province have also continued. Recent reports indicate an increase in these clashes, reflecting the escalation of tensions in border areas. It seems that the Islamic Republic is facing security tensions and challenges in Baloch-populated areas simultaneously with attacks on Kurdish opposition parties in western Iran.
Given these circumstances, Rubio's statements and Britain's assessment of Iran's role in the attack on the Fervord airbase clearly indicate an increase in tensions and security challenges at the international level, which could have serious consequences for Iran's relations with Western countries.
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