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UK says Iran’s Revolutionary Guard directed suspected plot at RAF Fairford base

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Coverage spectrum

Covered by 19 outlets across the spectrum.

22 articles in total. The spectrum counts each outlet once and leaves opinion out. How we measure bias

Two military bombers on an airfield runway behind a long perimeter fence under a clear sky.
Image via Al Jazeera EnglishHow images are chosenReport this image

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said on Monday that Britain assesses it is highly likely Iran played a role in a suspected plot targeting RAF Fairford, a British base used by US bombers, and that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps was almost certainly behind it. The incident took place in late September. Tehran has denied involvement. The UK government has summoned Iran’s ambassador and is imposing further sanctions on Iran and the IRGC. Some outlets report that the United States withdrew its B-1 bombers from the base amid intelligence warnings of a possible Iranian drone attack.

Headline and summary written by Mantle’s AI from the coverage below, under published rules. How this works

What happened

Key points

Each point shows who reports it, from Far Left to Far Right.

  1. UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps was “almost certainly” behind a suspected plot targeting RAF Fairford.

    Across the spectrumReported byLeft3Center4Right1Far Right3See the outletsHide the outlets
    Left
    Bloomberg, The Guardian, Al Jazeera English
    Center
    Financial Times, BBC News, Deutsche Welle, France 24
    Right
    The Washington Times
    Far Right
    The Daily Wire, RedState, Breitbart News

  2. The incident at RAF Fairford took place in late September, at a base used by US bombers for operations against Iran.

    Reported byLeft1Center1Far Right1See the outletsHide the outlets
    Left
    The Guardian
    Center
    France 24
    Far Right
    Breitbart News

  3. Tehran denies involvement in the incident.

    One outletFrance 24· Center

  4. The UK government summoned Iran’s ambassador and is imposing further sanctions on Iran and the IRGC.

    Reported byLeft1Center4See the outletsHide the outlets
    Left
    The Guardian
    Center
    Financial Times, BBC News, Deutsche Welle, France 24

  5. Reports say the Pentagon withdrew its B-1 bombers from RAF Fairford amid intelligence warnings of a possible Iranian drone attack.

    Reported byCenter1Far Right1See the outletsHide the outlets
    Center
    Deutsche Welle
    Far Right
    Breitbart News

What is contested

Where accounts differ

Points the coverage does not agree on, and who says what.

  • Iran’s Revolutionary Guard directed the suspected plot against RAF Fairford.

    The UK government says the IRGC almost certainly directed it; Tehran denies involvement.

  • The suspected plot forced the US to withdraw its bombers from RAF Fairford.

    Breitbart says the plot forced the bombers out; the cited reports describe the withdrawal as following intelligence warnings of a possible Iranian drone attack, without linking it to the UK-described plot.

How each side tells it

Compare views

Every side reports that the UK government attributes a suspected plot at RAF Fairford to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards. Center coverage adds Tehran’s denial and the ambassador summons, while right headlines stress the plot against American bombers and left headlines state the attribution plainly.

  • the left

    3 outlets

    Left headlines state the UK attribution directly, often using the assessment wording, and leave out Tehran’s response and the bomber withdrawal.

    Iran’s Revolutionary Guards ‘almost certainly’ behind RAF Fairford threats, says Burnham
    The GuardianLeftAll left-leaning headlines

  • the center

    5 outlets

    Center headlines pair the UK attribution with its consequences, such as the ambassador summons or sanctions, and one leads with Tehran’s denial.

    Tehran denies involvement in UK Fairford air base incident as Britain summons Iranian ambassador
    France 24CenterAll center headlines

  • the right

    11 outlets

    Right headlines stress the plot against American bombers and often drop attribution hedges; the Far Right outlets go furthest, with words like Exposing and Forced.

    Britain Blames Iran’s IRGC for Absolutist framing“Attempted Terror Plot”Presents a suspected plot as an established attempt, while other outlets describe it as suspected or alleged.More neutral: suspected terror plotDisagree with this highlight? That Loaded verb“Forced U.S. Bombers Out”States as fact that the plot caused the withdrawal, while the cited reporting links the withdrawal to intelligence warnings.More neutral: followed by the withdrawal of U.S. bombersDisagree with this highlight? of the UK
    Breitbart NewsFar RightAll right-leaning headlines

The words they chose

Language to notice

Words that carry a judgement beyond the facts. Tap a highlighted word anywhere on the page to see why.

  • Left1

    blames

  • Center0

    No loaded words in its own voice.

  • Right10

    Exposing Iran’s Plotstunning assessmentis claimingterrorism scare

In the outlets’ own words

  • Loaded verb

    Exposing Iran’s PlotMore neutral: UK Assesses Iran Plot Against American Bombers

    Exposing presents an official assessment of a suspected plot as already proven.

    Exposing Iran’s Plot Against American Bombers

    Used byThe Daily Wire (Far Right)

  • Sensational language

    stunning assessmentMore neutral: assessment

    The adjective adds drama to a government assessment that can be described without it.

    Britain's prime minister has delivered a stunning assessment of the suspected terrorist plot targeting RAF Fairford, the British airbase…

    Used byRedState (Far Right)

  • Loaded verb

    is claimingMore neutral: is saying

    Claiming frames the government’s official assessment as an unverified assertion.

    The British government is claiming that last month’s terrorism scare at RAF Fairford air base was “almost certainly” a…

    Used byWashington Examiner (Right)

  • Sensational language

    terrorism scareMore neutral: suspected terror plot

    Scare suggests the threat was overblown, which the supplied coverage does not establish.

    The British government is claiming that last month’s terrorism scare at RAF Fairford air base was “almost certainly” a scheme designed by Iran.

    Used byWashington Examiner (Right)

Show 7 more phrasesShow fewer

  • Loaded verb

    blamesMore neutral: says

    Blames presents the UK government's assessment as an accusation in the outlet's own voice, where says would report it neutrally.

    UK blames Iran for airbase plot, sanctions two Iranian nationals

    Used byAl Jazeera English (Left)

  • Loaded modifier

    foiled terror plotMore neutral: suspected plot

    Foiled asserts that a plot existed and was stopped, while the coverage describes it as suspected.

    (The Center Square) – Following last month’s foiled terror plot against a United Kingdom base hosting American bomber jets, UK Prime Minister…

    Used byThe Center Square (Right)

  • Loaded modifier

    foiled plotMore neutral: suspected plot

    Foiled asserts that a plot existed and was stopped, while the coverage describes it as suspected.

    UK's Burnham says Iran likely behind foiled plot on base hosting U.S.

    Used byThe Center Square (Right)

  • Delegitimizing label

    Iran’s ruling regimeMore neutral: Iran’s government

    Regime is a loaded label for Iran's government where the neutral term government is available.

    …with the United States in England, was likely coordinated and directed by Iran’s ruling regime, British Prime Minister Andy Bentham said on Oct.

    Used byThe Epoch Times (Far Right)

  • Absolutist framing

    Terror Plot at UK AirbaseMore neutral: Suspected plot at UK air base

    The headline states the plot as fact and drops the word suspected that other coverage keeps.

    Terror Plot at UK Airbase ‘Almost Certainly’ Directed by Iran, British PM Says

    Used byThe Epoch Times (Far Right)

  • Absolutist framing

    Attempted Terror PlotMore neutral: suspected terror plot

    Presents a suspected plot as an established attempt, while other outlets describe it as suspected or alleged.

    Britain Blames Iran’s IRGC for Attempted Terror Plot That Forced U.S.

    Used byBreitbart News (Far Right)

  • Loaded verb

    Forced U.S. Bombers OutMore neutral: followed by the withdrawal of U.S. bombers

    States as fact that the plot caused the withdrawal, while the cited reporting links the withdrawal to intelligence warnings.

    Britain Blames Iran’s IRGC for Attempted Terror Plot That Forced U.S. Bombers Out of the UK

    Used byBreitbart News (Far Right)

See the full language guide

See for yourself

Side by side

What each side leads with and what it leaves out. Open a side to read its headlines.

From the left

3 outlets

Leads with

  • UK attribution to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards
  • assessment wording such as almost certainly
  • new UK sanctions

Leaves out

  • Tehran’s denial of involvement
  • US withdrawal of B-1 bombers from the base

Reported by other sides, not found in this side’s coverage.

See the 3 headlines from the leftHide the headlines

From the center

5 outlets

Leads with

  • UK attribution to the Revolutionary Guards
  • summons of Iran’s ambassador
  • Tehran’s denial

Leaves out

  • Intelligence warnings of a possible Iranian drone attack

Reported by other sides, not found in this side’s coverage.

See the 5 headlines from the centerHide the headlines
  • PBS NewsHourCenterAssociated Press report

    Suspected plot at U.S.-run air base almost certainly directed by Iran, UK prime minister says

    A suspected plot to attack a U.S.-run military air base in England was "almost certainly" directed by Iran's Revolutionary Guard, British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said Monday.

    Read at PBS NewsHour (opens in a new tab)
  • France 24Center

    Tehran denies involvement in UK Fairford air base incident as Britain summons Iranian ambassador

    British Prime Minister Andy Burnham on Monday accused Iran's Revolutionary Guards of being responsible for a terror-related incident in September at England's Fairford air base, which is used by the United States military. …

    Read at France 24 (opens in a new tab)
  • Deutsche WelleCenter

    UK: Iran 'highly likely' to be behind RAF Fairford incident

    Prime Minister Andy Burnham told parliament there were "strong indications" of Iranian involvement. The government summoned Iran's ambassador. The scare at RAF Fairford led to the withdrawal of USAF B-1 heavy bombers.

    Read at Deutsche Welle (opens in a new tab)
  • BBC NewsCenter

    Britain won't tolerate threats on our soil, Miliband says as he summons Iran ambassador

    The prime minister says Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard "almost certainly" directed the RAF Fairford incident.

    Read at BBC News (opens in a new tab)
  • Financial TimesCenter

    UK imposes new sanctions on Iran over RAF Fairford incident

    Andy Burnham says events at Gloucestershire base used by US military were ‘almost certainly directed’ by Islamic Revolutionary Guards

    Read at Financial Times (opens in a new tab)

From the right

11 outlets

Leads with

  • plot against American bombers
  • withdrawal of the bombers from the base
  • Iran’s Revolutionary Guard as the culprit

Leaves out

  • Tehran’s denial of involvement
  • new UK sanctions on Iran

Reported by other sides, not found in this side’s coverage.

See the 11 headlines from the rightHide the headlines
  • PJ MediaFar Right

    UK Authorities Admit It: Iran’s IRGC Coordinated Attack on U.S.-Used Airbase

    After promptly releasing all the terrorists they had in custody and all but ignoring reports of others who escaped after the attempted attack on an American-used airbase, UK authorities are now admitting that the attack was almost certainly directed straight from Iran and …

    Read at PJ Media (opens in a new tab)
  • The Daily CallerFar Right

    Iran Says They Weren’t Behind Terror Incident At British Base That Housed US Bombers, Challenge UK Gov’t Narrative

    “undermining international peace and security”

    Read at The Daily Caller (opens in a new tab)
  • Breitbart NewsFar Right

    Britain Blames Iran’s IRGC for Absolutist framing“Attempted Terror Plot”Presents a suspected plot as an established attempt, while other outlets describe it as suspected or alleged.More neutral: suspected terror plotDisagree with this highlight? That Loaded verb“Forced U.S. Bombers Out”States as fact that the plot caused the withdrawal, while the cited reporting links the withdrawal to intelligence warnings.More neutral: followed by the withdrawal of U.S. bombersDisagree with this highlight? of the UK

    Britain on Monday blamed Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) for a suspected terror plot targeting RAF Fairford, the British airbase used by American bombers to strike Iran, following a security threat that prompted the United States to withdraw all 12 B-1 bombers …

    Read at Breitbart News (opens in a new tab)
  • The Epoch TimesFar Right

    Absolutist framing“Terror Plot at UK Airbase”The headline states the plot as fact and drops the word suspected that other coverage keeps.More neutral: Suspected plot at UK air baseDisagree with this highlight? ‘Almost Certainly’ Directed by Iran, British PM Says

    The United States and its allies condemned Iran's use of deadly attacks in a joint statement.

    Read at The Epoch Times (opens in a new tab)
  • The Center SquareRight

    UK's Burnham says Iran likely behind Loaded modifier“foiled plot”Foiled asserts that a plot existed and was stopped, while the coverage describes it as suspected.More neutral: suspected plotDisagree with this highlight? on base hosting U.S. bombers

    (The Center Square) – Following last month’s foiled terror plot against a United Kingdom base hosting American bomber jets, UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said Monday that Iran likely was involved in planning it.

    Read at The Center Square (opens in a new tab)

    Also published by Just the News. It counts once.

  • TownhallFar Right

    Burnham Confirms Iran Suspicions in RAF Fairford Plot

    U.K. Prime Minister Andy Burnham told Parliament on Monday that Iran was presumably tied with the alleged terror plot against RAF Fairford last month, which led to multiple arrests and individuals released on bail.

    Read at Townhall (opens in a new tab)
  • Washington ExaminerRight

    Andy Burnham says Iran’s Revolutionary Guard ‘almost certainly’ directed RAF Fairford plot

    The British government Loaded verb“is claiming”Claiming frames the government’s official assessment as an unverified assertion.More neutral: is sayingDisagree with this highlight? that last month’s Sensational language“terrorism scare”Scare suggests the threat was overblown, which the supplied coverage does not establish.More neutral: suspected terror plotDisagree with this highlight? at RAF Fairford air base was “almost certainly” a scheme designed by Iran. …

    Read at Washington Examiner (opens in a new tab)
  • RedStateFar Right

    British PM Confirms Suspects It Released on Bail Were 'Highly Likely' Tied to Iran Terror Plot

    Britain's prime minister has delivered a Sensational language“stunning assessment”The adjective adds drama to a government assessment that can be described without it.More neutral: assessmentDisagree with this highlight? of the suspected terrorist plot targeting RAF Fairford, the British airbase used by American bombers during operations against Iran.

    Read at RedState (opens in a new tab)
  • The Washington TimesRight

    U.K. prime minister: Iran 'almost certainly' behind alleged attack at RAF Fairford

    U.K. Prime Minister Andy Burnham said Monday it is "highly likely" Iran played a role in coordinating an alleged terror plot targeting an air base used by the U.S.

    Read at The Washington Times (opens in a new tab)
  • The Daily WireFar Right

    Loaded verb“Exposing Iran’s Plot”Exposing presents an official assessment of a suspected plot as already proven.More neutral: UK Assesses Iran Plot Against American BombersDisagree with this highlight? Against American Bombers

    British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said Monday that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps “almost certainly” directed a suspected plot targeting RAF Fairford, a U.S.-run military air base in England that has supported American operations against Iran. …

    Read at The Daily Wire (opens in a new tab)
  • Just the NewsFar RightCenter Square report

    UK's Burnham says Iran likely behind foiled plot on base hosting U.S. bombers

    Just the News published a report that is shown in full at The Center Square.

    Read at Just the News (opens in a new tab)

Articles you open from here build My Mix, a private picture of how your reading spreads across the spectrum, kept on this device. What is My Mix?

The left is Far Left and Left together. The right is Right and Far Right together. Every outlet keeps its own five-point rating.

Who reported it when

How the coverage built up

  • Left

    First to report

    The Guardian, Oct 11, 5:00 AM EDT

  • Center

    1 day 6 hr later

    Its first report, Oct 12, 11:43 AM EDT

  • Right

    1 day 3 hr later

    Its first report, Oct 12, 8:26 AM EDT

See the order the outlets reported inHide the order
  1. The GuardianLeftOct 11, 5:00 AM EDT
  2. The Daily WireFar RightOct 12, 8:26 AM EDT
  3. BloombergLeftOct 12, 11:01 AM EDT
  4. Financial TimesCenterOct 12, 11:43 AM EDT
  5. The Washington TimesRightOct 12, 11:58 AM EDT
  6. RedStateFar RightOct 12, 12:00 PM EDT
  7. BBC NewsCenterOct 12, 12:14 PM EDT
  8. Washington ExaminerRightOct 12, 12:54 PM EDT
  9. Al Jazeera EnglishLeftOct 12, 2:24 PM EDT
  10. TownhallFar RightOct 12, 2:30 PM EDT
  11. The Center SquareRightOct 12, 2:55 PM EDT
  12. Deutsche WelleCenterOct 12, 3:02 PM EDT
  13. France 24CenterOct 12, 4:23 PM EDT
  14. The Epoch TimesFar RightOct 12, 5:56 PM EDT
  15. PBS NewsHourCenterOct 12, 6:25 PM EDT
  16. Breitbart NewsFar RightOct 12, 10:38 PM EDT
  17. The Daily CallerFar RightOct 13, 6:41 AM EDT
  18. PJ MediaFar RightOct 13, 10:38 AM EDT

Times are the ones the outlets published in their own feeds, in Eastern time. Opinion is left out. Just the News gave only a date, so it is not placed.

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