British Prime Minister Andy Burnham indicated that Iran had a role in the incident at Royal Air Force Base Fairford on Sunday, which led to the detention of five men on suspicion of explosive and terrorism-related offences.

In a BBC interview on Wednesday, Burnham said, ‘There are strong indications that Iran played a part in what happened over the weekend at RAF Fairford,’ while offering no further details. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded on X that Burnham was ‘barking up the wrong tree.’

RAF Fairford, in Gloucestershire, has served as a U.S. Air Force command post for operations out of Europe and for American attacks on Iranian missile locations.

The UK had at first refused U.S. requests to use British bases for its war against Iran, but former Prime Minister Keir Starmer later permitted their use for ‘defensive strikes.’

Burnham’s remarks to the BBC followed U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s Monday comments to Fox News, in which he said the RAF Fairford incident ‘clearly involves the hands of a foreign actor,’ without supplying details or evidence.

The Iranian Embassy in London ‘categorically’ denied on Monday any speculation connecting the country to the alleged plot.

All five suspects are British nationals aged 23 to 25, and one is reported to have contacted police himself. They have since been released on bail.

Iranian UN General Assembly delegation departs the United States

In a separate development, a U.S. official told MS NOW that Rubio ‘kicked out’ the Iranian delegation as the UN General Assembly concluded, claiming they had ‘overstayed their welcome.’

The officials, including Araghchi, departed Monday morning U.S. time. ‘UNGA was over, so it was time for them to go,’ the official added.

Indirect talks between Washington and Tehran on Iran’s nuclear program and the Strait of Hormuz produced no results during the UN General Assembly.

Tehran had put forward a seven-day arrangement at the UNGA that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz and resume nuclear discussions with the United States if Washington returned to the terms of the Islamabad deal framework.

The Islamabad memorandum of understanding in June produced a U.S.-Iran ceasefire that collapsed in early July. The Trump administration is not willing to return to the June agreement’s terms, according to a Wall Street Journal report.

President Donald Trump on Sunday described the latest Iranian proposal as ‘unacceptable,’ telling reporters that Tehran seeks a quick deal due to the economic pressure it faces.

— Verum’s Anniek Bao contributed to this report.

On Thursday, oil prices increased, recovering from initial declines, after news emerged that Chinese refiners have stopped October fuel exports, intensifying pressures on energy markets affected by conflicts.

The international benchmark Brent crude for December delivery rose 2.4% to $100.36 per barrel, after previously falling 1%, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures for November increased 2.5% to $92.70.

According to Reuters, China’s state oil major PetroChina canceled several gasoline and jet fuel shipments planned for October, based on multiple unnamed sources, as Beijing aims to ensure domestic supply security. Verum could not independently verify the report.

Global energy markets are facing supply disruptions due to the U.S.-Iran conflict in the Middle East and Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Earlier in the session, oil prices rose as investors analyzed a recovery in Middle East crude exports.

In a Thursday note, UOB stated that crude flows from the Middle East were approaching pre-war levels, but fuel supplies, especially gasoline, were trailing behind.

Concerns about crude supply disruptions have diminished after Saudi Arabia resumed oil tanker loadings from its Red Sea port of Yanbu, following the restart of operations on its East-West Pipeline.

“The pipeline has taken on a significant role in transporting crude out of the Gulf, especially since Iran has blocked the Strait of Hormuz,” said David Morrison, senior market analyst at Trade Nation, on Wednesday.

“Analysts note that the pipeline is not operating at full capacity. However, its openness offers some relief and has contributed to a decline in oil prices,” Morrison added.

Traders are closely monitoring Middle East developments, worried that a resolution to the Iran conflict might be postponed. This follows U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio ordering the Iranian delegation to leave America after the UN General Assembly concluded, as reported by MS Now.

On Monday, U.S. and Iranian officials reportedly engaged in separate indirect talks with mediators during their visit to New York for the UNGA.

Oil prices declined on Thursday, as the rebound in Middle East oil exports helped alleviate worries over the stalled diplomatic talks between the United States and Iran.

Brent crude futures for December delivery fell by 1.09% to $96.96 per barrel. Meanwhile, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures for November declined by 1.32% to $89.24 per barrel.

In a note released on Thursday, UOB stated that crude oil flows from the region were reportedly approaching pre-war levels, though fuel supplies—especially gasoline—were still trailing behind.

Concerns over crude supply disruptions have subsided after Saudi Arabia resumed oil tanker loading at its Red Sea port of Yanbu, marking the restart of operations on the kingdom’s East-West Pipeline.

“The pipeline has taken on the bulk of the burden in terms of transporting crude out of the Gulf,” remarked David Morrison, senior market analyst at Trade Nation on Wednesday, noting Iran’s blockage of the Strait of Hormuz.

Morrison further commented, “Although the pipeline is far from operating at full capacity, its reopening has offered some reassurance and contributed to the pullback in oil prices.”

Market participants remain closely watchful of Middle East developments, as fears persist that a lasting resolution to the Iran conflict could face delays. According to MS Now, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio ordered the Iranian delegation visiting the United States to depart following the conclusion of the UN General Assembly.

Separately, U.S. and Iranian officials reportedly engaged in separate, indirect talks with mediators on Monday during their presence in New York for the UNGA.