Physical threat to UK from Iran has increased significantly, watchdog says

"It is persistent and crucially - unpredictable," says the Intelligence and Security Committee

In a new report from the Intelligence and Security Committee, it's been revealed that 15 Iran-backed murder or kidnap attempts on British targets unfolded between the start of 2022 and August 2023.

As such, Iran poses a serious to the UK and is "willing and able - often through third party agents - to attempt assassination within the UK, and kidnap from the UK".

The report continued: "Whilst Iran's activity appears to be less strategic and on a smaller scale than Russia and China, Iran poses a wide-ranging threat to UK national security, which should not be underestimated: it is persistent and crucially - unpredictable."

According to Sky News, security services have accused Tehran of inhabiting criminal proxies to carry out its work across the UK.

Responding to the committee's findings, the Iran embassy said in a statement: "The suggestion that Iran engages in or supports acts of physical violence, espionage, or cyber aggression on British soil or against British interests abroad, is wholly rejected.

"Such accusations are not only defamatory but also dangerous, fuelling unnecessary tensions and undermining diplomatic norms."

A spokesperson from the UK government also weighed in, sharing: "The government will take action wherever necessary to protect national security, which is a foundation of our plan for change.

"We have already placed Iran on the enhanced tier of the foreign influence registration scheme and introduced further sanctions against individuals and entities linked to Iran, bringing the total number of sanctions to 450."

Despite the last piece of evidence being documented in August '23, the report authors claim their conclusions are still relevant today.