Iran Denies UK 'Persistent Threat' Claims Amid Escalating Intelligence Warnings
London, UK – Iran has vehemently denied claims from a UK parliamentary intelligence report that it poses a, "wide-ranging, persistent, and unpredictable threat", to the United Kingdom, specifically rejecting accusations of plotting assassinations on British soil. The denial comes as UK intelligence officials continue to warn of increased Iranian activity aimed at dissidents and British interests.
The report, from the independent Parliamentary Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC), highlighted a, "significant increase in the physical threat", posed by Tehran. It alleged that Iran's intelligence services have been, "willing and able to attempt assassinations of UK citizens since 2022", and criticised the UK government for not being, "fully on top of this", due to an over-emphasis on Iran's nuclear programme.
In a swift rebuttal, the Iranian embassy in London issued a statement asserting that, "the suggestion Iran engages in or supports acts of physical violence, espionage or cyber aggression on British soil or against British interests abroad is wholly rejected". The embassy further stated that, "such accusations are not only defamatory but also dangerous, fueling unnecessary tensions and undermining diplomatic norms", urging the UK to, "refrain from further disseminating false information that damages bilateral relations and regional stability".
Professor Michael Clarke, a leading expert in security and defence studies, was brought in by Sky News to provide analysis. Professor Clarke noted that while the ISC's report was completed in 2023, making it, "a little bit out of date", intelligence figures have since been updated.
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"MI5 said that in the last just over a year, they've intercepted about 20 different plots", Professor Clarke explained, specifying that, "by intercepted, they often mean they've just messed them up. They haven't come to anything; they've undermined them before they get very far". He affirmed that MI5 has, "gone public on this, saying that, yeah, they're doing it all the time".
Professor Clarke elaborated on the ISC's criticism of the government, stating that the committee believes the focus on Iran's nuclear ambitions has overshadowed its efforts to, "engineer on British soil", including targeting dissidents, spying, and attempting to undermine Britain's global standing.
He also provided historical context for Iran's deep-seated suspicion of Britain. "The Iranians always assume that Britain's behind lots of things", he said, referencing the 1953 coup in Iran, when the CIA (with British involvement) engineered the overthrow of the democratically elected Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh, who had nationalised the Anglo-Persian Petroleum Company (now BP). This led to the installation of the Shah, whose rule lasted until the 1979 Iranian Revolution.
"They've never forgiven us", Professor Clarke stated, adding that Iran, "assume[s] that we are always with the Americans, we're always trying to undermine them. And that's not been true for many years. But it was true in the 1950s. I mean, that was a shameful episode in intelligence activities".
Professor Clarke further explained that Iran views Britain as a, "hotbed of radicalism", and, "free speech", making it a natural hub for Iranian dissidents. This, he suggested, is why the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), particularly its Quds Force, actively pursues opponents within the UK.
Addressing a query about the 1980 Iranian embassy siege in London, Professor Clarke clarified that the incident was carried out by Baluchi separatists, not directly by the Iranian government, though it led to a famous intervention by the British SAS.
The exchange underscores the deep and complex tensions between London and Tehran, with both sides presenting starkly different narratives on Iran's activities in the UK.
The report, from the independent Parliamentary Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC), highlighted a, "significant increase in the physical threat", posed by Tehran. It alleged that Iran's intelligence services have been, "willing and able to attempt assassinations of UK citizens since 2022", and criticised the UK government for not being, "fully on top of this", due to an over-emphasis on Iran's nuclear programme.
In a swift rebuttal, the Iranian embassy in London issued a statement asserting that, "the suggestion Iran engages in or supports acts of physical violence, espionage or cyber aggression on British soil or against British interests abroad is wholly rejected". The embassy further stated that, "such accusations are not only defamatory but also dangerous, fueling unnecessary tensions and undermining diplomatic norms", urging the UK to, "refrain from further disseminating false information that damages bilateral relations and regional stability".
Professor Michael Clarke, a leading expert in security and defence studies, was brought in by Sky News to provide analysis. Professor Clarke noted that while the ISC's report was completed in 2023, making it, "a little bit out of date", intelligence figures have since been updated.
.jpg)
"MI5 said that in the last just over a year, they've intercepted about 20 different plots", Professor Clarke explained, specifying that, "by intercepted, they often mean they've just messed them up. They haven't come to anything; they've undermined them before they get very far". He affirmed that MI5 has, "gone public on this, saying that, yeah, they're doing it all the time".
Professor Clarke elaborated on the ISC's criticism of the government, stating that the committee believes the focus on Iran's nuclear ambitions has overshadowed its efforts to, "engineer on British soil", including targeting dissidents, spying, and attempting to undermine Britain's global standing.
He also provided historical context for Iran's deep-seated suspicion of Britain. "The Iranians always assume that Britain's behind lots of things", he said, referencing the 1953 coup in Iran, when the CIA (with British involvement) engineered the overthrow of the democratically elected Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh, who had nationalised the Anglo-Persian Petroleum Company (now BP). This led to the installation of the Shah, whose rule lasted until the 1979 Iranian Revolution.
"They've never forgiven us", Professor Clarke stated, adding that Iran, "assume[s] that we are always with the Americans, we're always trying to undermine them. And that's not been true for many years. But it was true in the 1950s. I mean, that was a shameful episode in intelligence activities".
Professor Clarke further explained that Iran views Britain as a, "hotbed of radicalism", and, "free speech", making it a natural hub for Iranian dissidents. This, he suggested, is why the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), particularly its Quds Force, actively pursues opponents within the UK.
Addressing a query about the 1980 Iranian embassy siege in London, Professor Clarke clarified that the incident was carried out by Baluchi separatists, not directly by the Iranian government, though it led to a famous intervention by the British SAS.
The exchange underscores the deep and complex tensions between London and Tehran, with both sides presenting starkly different narratives on Iran's activities in the UK.
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