How RAF Fairford in a Quiet Corner of England Became a U.S.-Iran Flashpoint NYT - Home Page By: Michael D. ShearοΌ Eric SchmittοΌ Megan Specia and Adam Goldman 3 October 2026 at 13:45 A mysterious call last Sunday near a military base used by the U.S. set in motion a huge counterterrorism response and days of uncertainty in Britain. Β© Toby Shepheard/ReutersA police roadblock near RAF Fairford air base. Prime Minister Andy Burnham of Britain said on Wednesday that there were βstrong indications that Iran played a partβ in the weekendβs events at the air base, without providing more detail.