The UK Government has announced new measures to counter the escalating threats posed by the clerical regime in Iran, following an alarming increase in Iran-backed plots targeting British citizens, dissidents, journalists, and Jewish communities.
Security Minister Dan Jarvis MBE MP delivered a statement to Parliament today, warning that the Iranian regime has become more aggressive in its attempts to undermine UK security and silence critics. He cited MI5 intelligence, revealing that since 2022, the UK has thwarted 20 Iran-backed plots, many involving potentially lethal threats.
Jarvis emphasized that Iran’s intelligence services, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS), are actively involved in these plots. He also noted the use of criminal proxies to conduct operations on British soil. “They sit safely ensconced in Tehran while outsourcing their dirty work to criminals,” he stated.
Beyond physical threats, Iran is also waging cyber warfare. The National Cyber Security Centre has identified malicious cyber activities by Iran-affiliated actors targeting the UK’s state institutions and private sectors. Additionally, journalists covering Iran’s human rights abuses have been targeted with surveillance and intimidation tactics.
New Measures to Counter Iran’s Activities
To combat these threats, the UK government has announced several new actions:
Placing the Entire Iranian State Under the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS):
Iran’s intelligence services, including the IRGC and MOIS, will be added to the enhanced tier of the FIRS.
Any individual acting under Iran’s direction in the UK must register their activities or face up to five years in prison.
Review of Proscription Laws for State-Linked Groups:
The government has tasked Jonathan Hall KC, the Independent Reviewer of State Threats Legislation, to assess whether existing counter-terrorism laws should be expanded to better address state-sponsored threats, including those from Iran.
Increased Cooperation with Allies:
The UK will work with its Five Eyes and European partners to expose and counter Iranian activities.
Expanding Counter-Terrorism Training for UK Police:
All 45 territorial police forces in the UK will receive state threats training to enhance frontline responses to Iranian-backed activities.
Sanctions and Crackdown on Criminal Proxies:
The UK’s National Crime Agency will target Iranian-linked criminal networks, including those laundering money for the IRGC.
The leader of the Zindashti organized crime group, a network frequently used by Iran, has already been sanctioned.
Additional sanctions on Iran-linked criminals are under review.
Stronger Border Security and Immigration Scrutiny:
The UK will explore new immigration enforcement measures to prevent Iranian infiltration and pro-Iranian influence activities.
Protecting Vulnerable Communities and Institutions:
The Charity Commission has launched investigations into Iranian-linked UK institutions, including the Islamic Centre of England and the Al-Tawheed Charitable Trust.
The government is maintaining funding for protective security measures for synagogues, Jewish schools, and community centers.
U.K. Government’s Commitment to National Security
Jarvis reassured Parliament that the government is fully committed to protecting the UK from Iranian aggression. “We will resist attacks on our way of life as vigorously as we counter threats to life—whatever their source,” he declared.
He concluded by praising UK law enforcement and intelligence agencies for their relentless efforts in thwarting Iranian plots, emphasizing that security is the foundation upon which everything else is built.
Source » ncr-iran