Iranian Plots and Espionage Surge as UK Intelligence Sounds Alarm

UK intelligence agencies have sounded the alarm over an unprecedented rise in Iranian-backed plots and espionage targeting the country. Since 2022, authorities have responded to at least 20 Iran-linked plots, including attempts to kidnap or assassinate dissidents and perceived regime enemies on British soil.

The Intelligence and Security Committee’s latest report describes the threat as persistent, unpredictable, and now comparable to the risk posed by Russia. Iranian operations span physical attacks, cyber intrusions, and influence campaigns, with a notable focus on dissidents and Jewish and Israeli interests in the UK.

Lawmakers warn that the scale and audacity of these activities reflect a high appetite for risk by Iranian intelligence, which is well-resourced and increasingly aggressive in its offensive operations.

Physical Threats and Assassination Attempts Intensify

The report details a sharp increase in physical threats, with at least 15 attempted murders or kidnappings of British nationals or UK-based individuals since early 2022. These plots have mainly targeted Iranian dissidents but also extend to Jewish and Israeli interests, raising concerns about broader community safety.

Recent high-profile cases include charges against alleged Iranian spies in London, accused of plotting violence against journalists critical of Tehran. MI5 and police have responded to these threats with heightened vigilance, but the committee stresses that the risk remains acute and ongoing.

The Homeland Security Group has described the current level of physical threat from Iran as the greatest the UK faces from the regime, underscoring the urgency for a robust national response.

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Since 2022, UK authorities have thwarted or responded to at least 20 Iran-backed plots targeting dissidents and perceived regime enemies, marking one of the most intense periods of Iranian activity on British soil in recent history.

Espionage and Cyber Operations Target UK Institutions

Iranian espionage in the UK, while narrower in scope than Russian or Chinese operations, is intensifying and increasingly sophisticated. Targets include media organizations such as Iran International and BBC Persian, whose staff and their families have faced harassment and intimidation.

The Intelligence and Security Committee also highlighted concerns about Iranian-backed cultural and educational centers potentially being used to promote extremist ideology and facilitate covert influence operations. The UK’s cyber infrastructure remains at risk, prompting calls to strengthen national resilience against digital attacks.

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Government Response Under Scrutiny

The committee criticized the UK government for a reactive, crisis-driven approach to Iran, focused heavily on the nuclear issue at the expense of broader threats. Lawmakers argue that national security policy must shift toward longer-term planning, increased resourcing, and greater Iran-specific expertise.

Recommendations include considering the proscription of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization and enhancing oversight of foreign influence activities linked to Tehran. The government has already placed Iran on an enhanced monitoring tier and expanded sanctions, but the committee insists more decisive action is needed.

Strategic Implications for UK Security

The surge in Iranian plots and espionage signals a new era of asymmetric threats for the UK. Intelligence officials warn that the country now ranks among the top global targets for Iranian operations, just below the US, Israel, and Saudi Arabia. The unpredictability of Tehran’s actions, combined with its willingness to take risks, poses a persistent challenge to UK security.

As the government prepares its formal response to the committee’s findings, the urgency for a comprehensive, forward-looking strategy is clear. The evolving threat from Iran demands vigilance, adaptability, and coordinated action across all levels of national security.