Britain's intelligence committee urges government action against rising Iranian threats.
Iranian Espionage Threatens UK, Intelligence Report Warns
Iranian Espionage Threatens UK, Intelligence Report Warns
Escalating Iranian plots pose risks to dissidents and Jewish targets in Britain.
Britain is on heightened alert as a parliamentary intelligence committee has released a report indicating a significant rise in threats from Iranian espionage and assassination efforts. The report, unveiled on July 10, 2025, underscores concerns about Iran's targeting of dissidents as well as intelligence operations focused on Jewish and Israeli entities within the UK.
The Intelligence and Security Committee, which consists of nine members from Parliament, monitors the operations of the UK's intelligence agencies, benefiting from access to top-level officials and confidential materials. After an extensive two-year investigation, including interviews with intelligence personnel and examinations of classified documents, the findings reveal alarming evidence of at least 15 thwarted attempts to kill or abduct Iranian dissidents or individuals residing in the UK since the start of 2022.
Even prior to escalating tensions in the Middle East, the committee highlighted a growing danger directed at certain Jewish and Israeli groups seen as threats by the Iranian regime. MI5, Britain’s domestic counter-intelligence agency, indicated that the risks were especially pronounced for those perceived as challenging Iran’s authority.
The report makes it clear that Iran does not perceive operations against dissidents or Jewish and Israeli targets in the UK as attacks on the United Kingdom itself. Instead, Iran considers Britain as collateral damage in its internal conflicts. Consequently, the committee is urging the UK government and its allies to affirm that any such attacks would be regarded as assaults on the UK, warranting a decisive response.
The Intelligence and Security Committee, which consists of nine members from Parliament, monitors the operations of the UK's intelligence agencies, benefiting from access to top-level officials and confidential materials. After an extensive two-year investigation, including interviews with intelligence personnel and examinations of classified documents, the findings reveal alarming evidence of at least 15 thwarted attempts to kill or abduct Iranian dissidents or individuals residing in the UK since the start of 2022.
Even prior to escalating tensions in the Middle East, the committee highlighted a growing danger directed at certain Jewish and Israeli groups seen as threats by the Iranian regime. MI5, Britain’s domestic counter-intelligence agency, indicated that the risks were especially pronounced for those perceived as challenging Iran’s authority.
The report makes it clear that Iran does not perceive operations against dissidents or Jewish and Israeli targets in the UK as attacks on the United Kingdom itself. Instead, Iran considers Britain as collateral damage in its internal conflicts. Consequently, the committee is urging the UK government and its allies to affirm that any such attacks would be regarded as assaults on the UK, warranting a decisive response.
