Two British men have been charged with national security offenses related to a suspected plot targeting the Royal Air Force’s Fairford base in southwest England, a facility used by the United States military, authorities announced Tuesday. The men, both aged 24 and from London, face allegations linked to foreign intelligence activities.

Mohmed Ahmad Abdulkarim has been charged with assisting a foreign intelligence service, believed to be Iran’s, according to statements from the Crown Prosecution Service and police. His co-defendant, Nouman Essghir, is accused of entering a prohibited place for a purpose deemed prejudicial to the interests of the United Kingdom.

The incident came to light following reports on September 27, when a local farmer near the Fairford base observed a group of men operating several white vans engaged in suspicious activity. British counterterrorism officials subsequently launched an investigation into the event. Laurence Taylor, head of National Counter Terrorism Policing, indicated during a London press briefing that while some details remain unclear, there is confidence the actions were conducted on behalf of a foreign intelligence service.

Essghir was initially detained at the scene but later released on bail. Authorities re-arrested him approximately a week after the initial incident before formally charging him. Abdulkarim was arrested more recently following interviews conducted under caution and has now also been charged.

Both men appeared in court Tuesday to face the charges under the UK’s National Security Act. The investigation and legal proceedings are ongoing, and no further details regarding the specific nature of the alleged plot or its potential impact have been disclosed. Security officials continue to monitor activities connected to foreign intelligence operations targeting military installations within the UK.