US charges 3 alleged Iranian operatives over plots targeting Jewish communities and a UK airbase

US prosecutors claim the three men were planning a "campaign of terror" against Jewish communities and a UK airbase. The Fairford incident prompted the US to pull out its bombers used for operations against Iran. The British base was used by the US for attacks against Iran.

It came under the spotlight in late September, when UK authorities detained several men over a "major incident" near the military compound. The officials had received information about suspicious vehicles nearing the base and responded by setting up a safety zone and evacuating homes in the area, as well as by dispatching strong security forces and a bomb disposal unit. Five people were arrested.

An updated indictment unsealed in Manhattan federal court charged an Iranian-Iraqi dual national, an Iranian national and an Iraqi national. Only the dual national is in custody. "These defendants helped orchestrate a campaign of terror on behalf of terrorist organizations affiliated with Iran," US Attorney Jamie McDonald said.