UK security report reveals Iran plotted killings in Britain as physical threats surge since 2022

Britain faces a rising, deeply unpredictable threat from Iran, according to a hard-hitting report by Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC). The report, which took evidence up to August 2023, accuses Iran of launching a wave of assassinations, kidnappings, cyber-attacks, and espionage—all while the UK government focused narrowly on its nuclear programme.

In stark terms, the committee warned that Iran now poses a “persistent and wide-ranging” danger to UK nationals, dissenters, and institutions, both inside and outside the country. The UK intelligence services, the report claims, are struggling to match the pace of Tehran’s expanding operations.

“Iran has a high appetite for risk,” said ISC Chair Lord Beamish. “Its intelligence services are ferociously well-resourced.”

The report outlines a “sharp increase” in physical threats against regime critics living in the UK, especially since 2022. At least 15 attempts to kidnap or assassinate individuals on British soil were recorded by August 2023. That number had climbed to 20 by October, according to MI5.

The Iranian embassy in London has dismissed the findings, labelling the report “biased” and “baseless.”

But the detail is chilling. The ISC report claims Iranian operatives view Britain not just as a political adversary, but as a playground for crushing dissent. Opponents of Iran’s regime, Jewish and Israeli interests, and journalists from exiled Iranian media organisations are reportedly top targets.

Among them is journalist Sima Sabet, who said she had to leave her home in 2024 after UK police warned her life was in danger—even inside her residence. She had previously been issued a panic button by counter-terror police. Sabet said she now avoids using her real name, even for routine tasks like calling a cab or ordering food.

“Living under threat means your sense of safety is taken from you,” she told the BBC. “This is a direct violation of our security and our sovereignty. This should be a red line.”

The ISC report states that BBC Persian, Iran International, and Manoto TV—all broadcasting from the UK—have faced “persistent targeting” by Iran. Family members of journalists working for BBC Persian have reportedly been subjected to harassment and intimidation back in Iran.

Though Iran’s nuclear ambitions have dominated headlines, the ISC insists the government must also treat Tehran’s covert operations as a national security priority. It suggests Whitehall has relied too heavily on “crisis management” while neglecting longer-term threats.

According to the report, Iran has not developed a nuclear weapon but had the capability to do so “in a relatively short period.” It labelled nuclear de-escalation a “priority.”

Other key findings include:

• As of August 2023, detention was the primary physical threat to British citizens in Iran.
  
• Evacuating UK nationals from Iran in future is “not unrealistic”, the report warns.
  
• Ministers should assess whether Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) can legally be classified as a terrorist organisation.
  
• Financial sanctions must be reviewed to ensure they don’t drive Iran further into China’s orbit.
  

The new UK Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, approved the release of the report, given its intelligence sensitivities.

A government spokesperson said the report reflects the “vital work” being carried out by Britain’s intelligence agencies. The UK has placed Iran on the enhanced tier of the foreign influence registration scheme and sanctioned 450 individuals and entities linked to the regime.

Earlier this month, BBC Director-General Tim Davie urged Iran to stop harassing journalists and announced plans to submit a new complaint to the UN.