Iran-linked incident at RAF Fairford follows tanker attacks in Strait of Hormuz
Five British men were arrested near RAF Fairford on September 27 on suspicion of terrorism and explosive offences and later released on bail, while the UK prime minister said there are strong indications of Iranian involvement in the incident. Three tankers were struck by unknown projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz on September 29 and the United States imposed sanctions on ten individuals and entities linked to weapons procurement for Iran on the same day.2
Crude oil volumes are returning to pre‑war levels in the Strait of Hormuz, but refined products such as gasoline and diesel are not leaving the strait, Russia or China, keeping consumer prices high in the US and Europe. Saudi Arabia is exceeding its 2025 export targets with large crude shipments through the strait and the Red Sea, while Ukraine’s strikes on Russian refineries and China’s export bans on refined products are worsening the shortage.1