Two men charged following an investigation into a suspected terror plot involving RAF Fairford were acting under the instructions of a handler police believe was working for Iran, a court heard.

Mohmed Abdulkarim and Nouman Essghir, both aged 24, had allegedly been in contact with the man known only as “Ali”, who prosecutors said was behind the suspected plot on 27 September.

The pair appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday charged under the National Security Act. Abdulkarim, of London , has been charged with assisting a foreign intelligence service while Essghir, also of London, has been charged with entering a prohibited place for a purpose prejudicial to the UK.

Nouman Essghir and wheelchair-bound Mohmed Abdulkarim appeared in court on Tuesday (PA)

Prosecutors told the court that on 27 September, “Ali” had ordered a group of men to drive vans loaded with petrol to RAF Fairford before being told to park the vans and walk away by the organiser over the phone.

Louise Gray, prosecuting,…