UK Warned of Rising Threat from Iran
The intelligence and security committee in the UK has issued a warning about the increasing and unpredictable dangers posed by Iran, urging the government to take stronger measures against it.
This warning comes alongside the release of a comprehensive inquiry that investigated various threats from the Iranian state, including assassinations, kidnappings, espionage, cyber attacks, and its nuclear ambitions.
The committee’s report, which reflects evidence up to August 2023, does not include insights from recent escalations such as the October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas. However, the authors emphasize that the report’s conclusions remain pertinent.
Concerns about Threat Levels
Lord Beamish, chair of the committee, highlighted that Iran presents a widespread, ongoing, and unpredictable threat to the UK and its interests. He noted Iran’s willingness to take risks in its offensive activities, supported by well-funded intelligence capabilities.
The Iranian embassy in London has dismissed the report as “biased” and “baseless.” Furthermore, the committee accused the government of concentrating more on “crisis management” concerning Iran, particularly regarding its nuclear advancements, rather than addressing other significant threats that require a more comprehensive long-term approach.
Increased Physical Threats
The report states there has been a notable rise in physical threats against dissidents and Israeli interests in the UK. Since early 2022, there have been at least 15 murder or kidnapping attempts against individuals in the UK, with MI5 estimating the number to be around 20 as of October last year. Intelligence sources suggested that Iran’s threat level is high, likening it to the dangers posed by Russia.
Attacks on Journalists and Media
MI5 reported ongoing targeting of Iranian media in the UK, with organizations like Iran International being viewed as significant threats to the Iranian regime. This effort has included severe harassment of journalists’ families in Iran. British-Iranian journalist Sima Sabet, who has faced an assassination plot, expressed her fears and cautioned about the pervasive atmosphere of danger affecting her daily life.
Nuclear Threat Assessment
The report assessed that, as of August 2023, Iran had not produced a nuclear weapon and was generally complying with international agreements designed to limit its nuclear ambitions. However, following the US withdrawal from the nuclear deal in 2018, the threat of a nuclear-armed Iran has escalated. The committee emphasized that preventing nuclear escalation should be prioritized.
Recommendations and Government Response
The report recommends that the UK government consider various options, including declaring Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) a terrorist organization, evaluating the practicality of financial sanctions, and preparing for possible evacuations of British citizens in Iran. In response, a government spokesperson acknowledged the vital role of security and intelligence agencies in addressing threats from states like Iran.
Lastly, BBC director general Tim Davie has urged Iran to cease violence against journalists and has indicated plans to escalate its complaints to the UN about Iran’s continued targeting of the media.
